Google Maps integrates Live View, an augmented reality pedestrian navigation system. Here is how to use it.
Unveiled last year, Live View is a pedestrian navigation system allowing the user to display his route in augmented reality.
Thanks to images from Google Street View, machine learning and smartphone sensors, Live View is able to show the user the right direction in augmented reality.
Still in the testing phase, this function uses the smartphone’s camera to display the street on the screen, and superimpose the direction to follow. In the coming months, Google should further improve its functionality by allowing you to quickly display the direction and distance separating you from a searched location.
Here is how to proceed to obtain the pedestrian navigation step by step, in augmented reality.
- Download Google Maps for Android (Free)
- Download Google Maps for iPhone (Free)
1. Start a route
Open Google Maps on your smartphone then, in the Discover tab, find the place you want to go to. Then press the Route button and select the pedestrian mode represented by the icon of a small character.
2. Activate Live View
Once pedestrian mode is activated, a Live View button should appear in the lower pane of the app. Press it to open it and point your smartphone camera at the buildings and signs around you.
3. Navigate in augmented reality
Google Maps should show flickers like when using Google Lens.
Once the app recognizes the location, directional directions should automatically be displayed. You just have to walk and follow the direction indicated to see the following indications scroll to your point of arrival.