Google has partnered with the electric vehicle company Rivian to develop a new navigation experience built on Google Maps. Rivian Navigation uses Google Maps Auto SDK to offer a mix of in-house features and Google Maps" routing, traffic insights, and satellite imagery.
Google Maps is one of the most widely used navigation apps. It can be easily used inside cars through Android Auto and CarPlay, which have become the de facto industry standard. However, several EV makers prefer in-house infotainment software instead of Android Auto and CarPlay.
Rivian built the infotainment software for its electric vehicles on top of the Android Automotive OS, which is also a Google product. Its latest navigation system features Rivian"s new design language and EV-friendly features like range on arrival, charging scores, EV charging stop planning, and real-time updates from charging networks.
The integration enables Rivian EVs to retrieve fresh Google Maps data to determine the fastest route, calculate ETAs, and reroute as needed. It will show alerts about lane closures or reports of accidents along the way.
Rivian has been using Google Maps to show information about places, including opening hours, photos, ratings, and place summaries. The new update lets you tap on points of interest on the map and makes it easier to access related information.
Rivian Navigation has started rolling out to all Rivian owners driving its electric pickup trucks and SUVs. These new features are also available on its mobile app, alongside place photos, place descriptions, satellite view, and the ability to see traffic incidents, the automaker said.
In-car navigation has become a crucial part of the driving experience. Data from the consulting firm McKinsey suggests that the global automotive software and electronics market is expected to reach $462 billion by the year 2030. Google said in a blog post that it"s working with other carmakers to develop custom navigation experiences on top of Google Maps foundational technology.