The competition within the navigation sector is intensifying as tech companies seek to expand their presence in the automotive industry. Apple has recently shifted its strategy to focus on software and services, abandoning plans for the Apple Car and emphasizing products like Apple Maps and CarPlay.
Similarly, Google is exploring innovations to maintain Google Maps’ dominance in both mobile and in-car navigation. One such innovation is the introduction of immersive route previews, allowing users to visualize their routes in multidimensional detail.
Additionally, Google is exploring a concept called “supporting multiple roles in voice-enabled navigation,” which would enable users to assign specific privileges to different individuals interacting with Google Maps via voice commands. This feature aims to prevent unauthorized users from altering navigation settings.
This approach mirrors existing user permission systems in software like Windows, where administrators have full control over system settings. Google intends to extend this functionality to Google Maps, allowing users to configure different levels of access for additional users.
The implementation of user profiles in Google Maps will be based on audio fingerprinting technology, enabling the application to recognize individual users and their corresponding access rights. This system is particularly useful for shared vehicles or situations where navigation settings need to be restricted.
While the concept is still in the patent stage, Google’s initiative underscores its commitment to enhancing user experience and addressing concerns related to navigation control and safety.
