Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
The primary benefit of navigation apps is more convenient driving, as the software assists you with turn-by-turn information for a suggested route.
However, turn-by-turn guidance isn't always as convenient as you'd expect it to be. One particular shortcoming that many developers tried to resolve concerned how descriptive the voice instructions were for the person behind the wheel.
Because drivers couldn't look at the screen, as the process would increase the distraction level, the only way to figure out which way to go was to listen to voice instructions. As a result, guidance like "in 200 meters, turn left" made the experience fairly confusing for drivers, especially in complex intersections with multiple left turns.
Google, Apple, and other navigation specialists tried to resolve this problem with improved guidance and artificial intelligence, but HERE is now updating its navigation software with such capabilities in the production channel.
The latest HERE WeGo version on iOS (also available on CarPlay) includes what the company describes as "visual references." It means the navigation application offers voice guidance that includes visual references, helping you understand which way to go by looking in front of the car.
The feature was developed to support essential visual references, including traffic lights and landmarks. For example, instead of the generic "in 200 meters, turn left" instruction, you could hear something like "turn left after the Bank of America building."
HERE WeGo will look for information that simplifies the navigation experience, and if no landmarks are available on your route, it could use the traffic lights to tell you which way to go. The guidance could be similar to "turn left after the next traffic light."
HERE is already one of the leading names in the navigation software world, and its solutions are installed on millions of cars on the road. HERE WeGo is a solid alternative to Google Maps, and this latest feature is an update that should eventually make its way to every competing product. Including Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps, as they make voice instructions more straightforward, help improve the experience behind the wheel, and reduce the distraction level.
HERE WeGo tries to offer an all-in-one software solution for navigation on mobile devices, so the application includes the driving mode alongside walking instructions and public transportation. While it doesn't have the same large user base as Google Maps, its routing engine is an excellent choice for people who want a simplified navigation experience, especially in offline mode.
HERE WeGo allows users to download maps for navigation without an Internet connection. Compared to Google Maps, which requires users to select the area they want to cover, HERE WeGo lets them define a country or city for the offline maps, eventually making planning a trip in offline mode more convenient.
The latest version, which includes the visual references for voice navigation, is 4.11.100.
Because drivers couldn't look at the screen, as the process would increase the distraction level, the only way to figure out which way to go was to listen to voice instructions. As a result, guidance like "in 200 meters, turn left" made the experience fairly confusing for drivers, especially in complex intersections with multiple left turns.
Google, Apple, and other navigation specialists tried to resolve this problem with improved guidance and artificial intelligence, but HERE is now updating its navigation software with such capabilities in the production channel.
The latest HERE WeGo version on iOS (also available on CarPlay) includes what the company describes as "visual references." It means the navigation application offers voice guidance that includes visual references, helping you understand which way to go by looking in front of the car.
The feature was developed to support essential visual references, including traffic lights and landmarks. For example, instead of the generic "in 200 meters, turn left" instruction, you could hear something like "turn left after the Bank of America building."
HERE WeGo will look for information that simplifies the navigation experience, and if no landmarks are available on your route, it could use the traffic lights to tell you which way to go. The guidance could be similar to "turn left after the next traffic light."
HERE is already one of the leading names in the navigation software world, and its solutions are installed on millions of cars on the road. HERE WeGo is a solid alternative to Google Maps, and this latest feature is an update that should eventually make its way to every competing product. Including Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps, as they make voice instructions more straightforward, help improve the experience behind the wheel, and reduce the distraction level.
HERE WeGo tries to offer an all-in-one software solution for navigation on mobile devices, so the application includes the driving mode alongside walking instructions and public transportation. While it doesn't have the same large user base as Google Maps, its routing engine is an excellent choice for people who want a simplified navigation experience, especially in offline mode.
HERE WeGo allows users to download maps for navigation without an Internet connection. Compared to Google Maps, which requires users to select the area they want to cover, HERE WeGo lets them define a country or city for the offline maps, eventually making planning a trip in offline mode more convenient.
The latest version, which includes the visual references for voice navigation, is 4.11.100.
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