Google Maps rolls out motorcycle routes in Southeast Asia



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The seemingly endless sea of ​​Hanoi motorcycles (19459004) – managing not to crash over each other, even if they are only a few inches apart – can be totally disconcerting for new visitors. But as any experienced traveler in Southeast Asia will tell you, renting a scooter as a tourist actually opens up both cities like Hanoi and the countryside in a whole new way: This can be a little scary at first, but once, it's really damn fun. Now, Google Maps reduces the intimidation factor by hitting the streets of Southeast Asia on a motorcycle, using a navigation mode designed to move on two wheels motorized.

After driving the "motorcycle mode" in India last December, Google Maps announced this week that it would lead to Hong Kong Indonesia Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Taiwan Thailand and Vietnam also. The option works in addition to the driving, walking and transit directions that already exist on the platform. The new mode takes into account the speeds of the bike when calculating travel times and will send you in the lanes that cars can not cross. It will also avoid toll roads where motorcycles are prohibited and even use landmarks instead of street names, given the lack of signage in parts of the area and the city. difficulty locating them. ("Turn left at Jakarta Hospital" is a lot easier than trying to find the soot sign for Jalan Garnisun, especially when you make sure you do not get hit by a bus .)

Google Maps & # 39; The product manager, Krish Vitaldevara, explained that the goal was to make the instructions clear enough so that drivers could memorize the route before setting off, or at least rely on audio messages rather than on the road. To their device. reports.

The feature is being rolled out on Google's Android platform, with potential, but unspecified, expansion to iOS coming soon. There is no word on when we could see motorcycle directions coming into the Western Hemisphere, but it makes sense that Google is heading to South East Asia. First: The feature is now available in three of the world's four largest motorcycle markets. and Vietnam (censorship of Google sites by mainland China may explain why the feature has been deployed in Taiwan and Hong Kong for the moment.)

Now, rent this scooter and explore.

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