Polestar Integrates New AI-Powered Google Maps Live Lane Guidance Feature

Google has introduced a new visualisation feature to help drivers navigate complex intersections and interchanges. Google Maps can now show live, custom, real-time navigation instructions with visual and auditory cues to help make sure drivers don’t miss their exit or end up unable to merge onto a highway, especially in rush-hour traffic or on unfamiliar routes. 

Polestar has announced that its Polestar 4 electric coupe SUV will be the first car to support live lane guidance in the US and Sweden. The indications are shown on the car’s 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, helping drivers react to direction updates in time, with minimal distraction. Every suitable lane is highlighted in blue, so the driver knows whether they need to stay in the same lane or move. Google Maps will also continue to show live traffic updates, estimated time of arrival, and other alerts.

Support for additional manufacturers, models and regions will roll out soon. Google’s announcement also says the feature will expand to “more road types” in the future, beyond its current focus on highways. Supported cars will be able to receive an over-the-air update adding this functionality. 

Google says it uses a car’s front-facing cameras to “see” the road in front of it like a human driver might. AI can then recognise lane markings and road signs to make Maps guidance more precise.  

In a press statement, Sid Odedra, Head of UI/UX at Polestar, said “Over the past five years, Polestar’s collaboration with Google has delivered many new features for Polestar owners. Live lane guidance continues the path of Polestar’s driver-centric UX strategy, reducing driver stress and improving safety by making missed exits and last-minute lane changes much less of a worry.”

Andrew Foster, Director of Product Management for Google Maps said “Polestar has been a close partner since 2020 when Polestar 2 launched as the first car with Google built in. Now, Polestar 4 will be the first to integrate our groundbreaking live lane guidance which will help people drive with even more confidence and set a new benchmark for navigation across the auto industry."