Google Maps will now give EV drivers real-time battery vary information, beginning with Ford

Google introduced Tuesday at CES 2024 a brand new characteristic for EV drivers that can observe and show real-time battery data in Google Maps.

The characteristic is on the market in EVs with Android Auto, a secondary interface that runs on the person’s cellphone and wirelessly communicates and tasks options like navigation, media and messaging from their Android-based smartphone to the car show. From right here, Android Auto shares real-time battery data with Google Maps, Guemmy Kim, director of product and person Expertise for Android for Vehicles wrote Tuesday in a blog post.

Picture Credit: Google

Whereas most fashionable EVs give drivers data on their state of cost, the combination with navigation isn’t all the time accessible or clear. Android Auto bypasses no matter in-car navigation is getting used and as an alternative shows Google Maps. As soon as an EV driver plugs in a vacation spot into Google Maps, the characteristic will give estimated battery degree upon arrival, counsel charging stops alongside the best way and share how lengthy charging will take based mostly on the car.

The brand new Android Auto characteristic will rollout at this time on Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. Extra EV manufacturers will comply with within the coming months, based on Google.

Google built-in provides Chrome, Climate Channel

Google additionally added new journey planning capabilities, the Chrome browser and the Climate Channel app to Google built-in.

Google built-in an automotive providers product that, not like Android Auto, is definitely embedded into the vehicle itself. Google built-in is obtainable in automobiles with an Android Automotive working system — an more and more frequent incidence with automakers. Android Automotive OS is modeled after Google’s open supply cell working system that runs on Linux. However as an alternative of working smartphones, Google modified it so automakers might use it of their vehicles.

Google has provided an open supply model of this OS to automakers for a while. However in recent times automakers have labored with the tech firm to natively construct in an Android OS that’s embedded with all of the Google apps and providers corresponding to Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Retailer in addition to third-party apps like Spotify.

Polestar and Volvo had been among the many first automakers to have Google built-in. Nissan, Ford and Lincoln fashions outfitted with Google built-in can even roll out this 12 months and Porsche anticipated to launch sooner or later.

The corporate mentioned that beginning at this time drivers of automobiles with Google built-in can ship the journey they’ve deliberate on their smartphone utilizing Google Maps on to their automotive. The characteristic works for smartphones working on Android and even Apple’s iOS.

Google mentioned that it has additionally added Chrome browser to pick Polestar and Volvo vehicles in beta. The browser might be rolled out to different automobiles with Google built-in later this 12 months.

The Chrome browser can’t be accessed when the car is transferring. As a substitute, it’s meant for use when the car is parked — and particularly for EVs whereas they’re charging.

Vehicles with Google built-in can even get, beginning at this time, PBS KIDS and Crunchyroll and the Climate Channel app.