Photo: Google/autoevolution edits
The Android Automotive version of Google Maps offers more advanced capabilities than the Android Auto sibling, mainly thanks to the deeper vehicle integration.
Google Maps on Android Automotive has access to more vehicle data, meaning it can read battery information and provide custom routes based on your charge level.
For example, if the existing battery level doesn't allow you to reach a defined destination, Google Maps can automatically suggest charging stops along the route.
Google seems to know that driving an electric vehicle can sometimes be a pain in the neck, so the company wants to address range anxiety with more advanced capabilities in Google Maps.
The search giant has recently announced the addition of a feature that many drivers feel should have been there from the beginning. The application will continuously monitor the battery level, and when it drops below a certain threshold, it looks for charging stations in proximity and highlights them on the map.
It means that finding a charging station becomes more convenient, especially when you can't afford to waste more time looking for a charger. Google Maps on Android Automotive can look for chargers based on vehicle specifications, so you'll always see the compatible stations with plugs that fit your car.
However, the nearby charging stations will appear on the map with additional information, such as real-time port availability and charging speed.
The feature will start rolling out in the coming months and will be available for users worldwide.
There's one tiny bit that Google would better clarify as soon as possible. The company said in the announcement that the new feature will roll out "staring with vehicles with Google built-in." The wording suggests that highlighting nearby chargers where running low on battery is a feature that won't be exclusive to Android Automotive, albeit the scenarios where the same capabilities can be enabled outside of AOOS are very limited.
Google has been working on offering deeper Google Maps vehicle integration, similar to how Apple Maps is integrated into select Ford and Porsche models, but the support isn't yet widely available. The search giant is presumably approaching the production stage, so the feature could eventually expand to Android Auto.
Meanwhile, Google keeps improving Google Maps on multiple fronts, and another recent announcement concerns an eco-friendly approach that allows the app to suggest alternative travel modes in the route preview screen. Users running Google Maps in driving mode will start seeing suggestions for walking and public transit when the travel time is similar to driving. Google says it'll enable the new feature gradually, hoping more people will eventually leave their cars at home when they understand they wouldn't spend significantly more time on the road if they use an environmentally friendly alternative.
For example, if the existing battery level doesn't allow you to reach a defined destination, Google Maps can automatically suggest charging stops along the route.
Google seems to know that driving an electric vehicle can sometimes be a pain in the neck, so the company wants to address range anxiety with more advanced capabilities in Google Maps.
The search giant has recently announced the addition of a feature that many drivers feel should have been there from the beginning. The application will continuously monitor the battery level, and when it drops below a certain threshold, it looks for charging stations in proximity and highlights them on the map.
It means that finding a charging station becomes more convenient, especially when you can't afford to waste more time looking for a charger. Google Maps on Android Automotive can look for chargers based on vehicle specifications, so you'll always see the compatible stations with plugs that fit your car.
However, the nearby charging stations will appear on the map with additional information, such as real-time port availability and charging speed.
The feature will start rolling out in the coming months and will be available for users worldwide.
There's one tiny bit that Google would better clarify as soon as possible. The company said in the announcement that the new feature will roll out "staring with vehicles with Google built-in." The wording suggests that highlighting nearby chargers where running low on battery is a feature that won't be exclusive to Android Automotive, albeit the scenarios where the same capabilities can be enabled outside of AOOS are very limited.
Google has been working on offering deeper Google Maps vehicle integration, similar to how Apple Maps is integrated into select Ford and Porsche models, but the support isn't yet widely available. The search giant is presumably approaching the production stage, so the feature could eventually expand to Android Auto.
Meanwhile, Google keeps improving Google Maps on multiple fronts, and another recent announcement concerns an eco-friendly approach that allows the app to suggest alternative travel modes in the route preview screen. Users running Google Maps in driving mode will start seeing suggestions for walking and public transit when the travel time is similar to driving. Google says it'll enable the new feature gradually, hoping more people will eventually leave their cars at home when they understand they wouldn't spend significantly more time on the road if they use an environmentally friendly alternative.
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