People have been waiting for this function on Google Maps in Germany for a long time, but now it has been officially announced: The speed limit will soon be integrated into the app. TECHBOOK reveals all the important information about it.
Google Maps is one of the most used navigation apps on smartphones. Many functions are already integrated and there are more and more. The US company recently announced that the long-awaited display of the speed limit in Google Maps is finally coming to Germany.
Speed limit display in Google Maps
In the USA and other countries, the speed limit display in Google Maps started years ago. For a long time people wondered when the function would also be usable in this country. Google now has on its Blog announced that the function will be expanded to 20 additional countries, including Germany, Poland, Austria, etc.
The update is overdue. While other apps or navigation systems can display your own pace and speed limit, this was not the case with Google Maps.
This is how the function works
Some users are wondering how Google plans to integrate all speed limits into Google Maps. The company writes in one others Blog entry that this should be done through artificial intelligence (AI) and with the help of images.
To record speed limits, Google wants to use its own Street View images and images from third-party providers. The company also trains its AI models on various types of signs. For example, once an image of a sign is identified, the GPS information from it is used to assign an exact location to the traffic sign. Google also wants to use data from local authorities if there is no signage.
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But what happens if, for example, construction work is carried out or there is a change in the speed limit? Google has a solution for this too. The blog post states: “To resolve this issue, Google Maps analyzes traffic trends to determine whether there may be a change in the speed limit. For example, if our trends show that cars are consistently driving below the speed limit, this could be an indication that the speed limit has been lowered.”
If the speed limit changes temporarily, Google wants to compare the change with other sources, including Street View, and, if necessary, ask local authorities.
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When will the speed limit display come to Germany?
In addition to the speed limit, a lane assistant is also integrated into the app. This is particularly useful on motorways when things get confusing and you don’t immediately know which lane you have to change to for the next exit.
However, a fixed date for the update is not yet known. Google says that the speed limit display will be available in the coming months for Android, iOS and for cars with integrated Google functionality.
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Even if the function is very useful and further improves Google Maps, you should not blindly trust the speed limits displayed in the app, but always pay attention to the signs in traffic. This is especially important if there are temporary speed changes and Google has not updated them.