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Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

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Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#281

Post by carstenhag »

cerved wrote: post #247
karussell wrote: post #245

Driving with low carbon emission can only mean driving with a speed that is (much) smaller then the allowed maximum speed outside of cities. E.g. 80km/h (or even 70) instead of the allowed 100km/h in Germany. This way I can reduce my fuel consumption by at least 30%. With Google Maps driving and reaching the ETA is very stressful (and burns a lot of gas) as you often have to "max out" the speed limits. I guess the AI…

When you calculate the shortest path in a road network, you usually take the distance and divide it by the speed limit to determine the weight of the edges. To be fancy you also do things like account for deceleration and acceleration at nodes (turns). Artificially capping the speed limit is easy. You often do this for things like tractors that don't drive at the speed limit. If people want to drive under a certain s…

As you mentioned tractors, it's pretty sad one can't define usual/max driving speeds on Google Maps. Applies to e-bikes, tractors, cars with trailers, etc

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#282

Post by carstenhag »

Rygian wrote: post #231

I am surprised that no one mentioned www.abetterrouteplanner.com yet, which is EV-oriented and takes into account not only charging stations (and their power output), but also elevation changes to account for regen filling up the battery and providing increased range. Also has an in-car mode that is somewhat usable for cars that have an integrated web browser with access to location data.

Yeah, Google Maps is pretty useless for EV cars. I wonder why they care about indoor navigation and pickup stuff so much, when EV cars is the thing of this decade.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#283

Post by Arrath »

oceliker wrote: post #46
murphyslab wrote: post #30

It's also the cheapest route to drive, as it's optimizing for lower fuel consumption: With insights from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab, we’re building a new routing model that optimizes for lower fuel consumption based on factors like road incline and traffic congestion. Provided that the few extra minutes aren't critical to one's wallet, it's a cost savings. For me those extra minutes…

> If I could, I'd usually choose the lowest stress route! Apple Maps sometimes features alternate routes that are "simpler" or with "fewer turns", which I think is a very nice feature. I'd rather not cut through small side streets just to save 1-2 minutes.

Oh god google maps did this to me during a blizzard once. Going from plowed primary arteries to secondary side streets that might as well have been skating rinks was NOT COOL.

"But it's 2 minutes faster!"

Not when I'm going half the speed and starting to slow down halfway through the block to make sure I don't slide right out into traffic.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#284

Post by Arrath »

_carbyau_ wrote: post #78
murphyslab wrote: post #30

It's also the cheapest route to drive, as it's optimizing for lower fuel consumption: With insights from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab, we’re building a new routing model that optimizes for lower fuel consumption based on factors like road incline and traffic congestion. Provided that the few extra minutes aren't critical to one's wallet, it's a cost savings. For me those extra minutes…

I am with you on the "lowest stress" thing. While I guess some people:"lowest stress = fastest time" For me it is: not having to do a turn across 4 lanes of traffic(2 in either direction) without traffic lights. Wife and I constantly scan google route and make up something when it does that.

I totally agree. I'd also love for the ability to specify how far in advance I want to know about turns so I can start getting in the correct lane without just shoving my way in at the last minute cause hey my turn is in 50 yards.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#285

Post by Arrath »

lastofthemojito wrote: post #269
bayindirh wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've heard only two things about start/stop systems: 1. I don't like it (Folks didn't have a clear answer. Maybe ego?). 2. Batteries are too expensive (Which I think is acceptable for such tech).

My cars are too old to have the start/stop system but I've experienced it in rental cars and my immediate reaction is that I don't like it - especially the lag between when you move your foot from the brake pedal to when the engine actually starts running. It wasn't so bad with a manual transmission (~2016 Mini Cooper) as I often start to ease off of the brake pedal as I start to depress the clutch, so once it's time…

My newer car has features to help offset this, including brake assist or whatever fancy name they call the feature. Remove foot from brake pedal, engine starts. The key is that it stays in neutral and the brakes remain applied until you hit the gas. You just have to get in the habit of removing your foot from the brake that split second earlier so the engine is running and ready when you want it.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#286

Post by 8note »

moooo99 wrote: post #223
eru wrote: post #176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some fancy ICE cars automatically turn off the engine instead of idling.

Which is super annoying and in many instances damaging to the car (in the long run). Thats the reason why basically everybody that I know turns it off

What's the mechanism for damage?

What's being damaged and why is it worse during startup/stopping?

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#287

Post by nerdponx »

lastofthemojito wrote: post #269
bayindirh wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've heard only two things about start/stop systems: 1. I don't like it (Folks didn't have a clear answer. Maybe ego?). 2. Batteries are too expensive (Which I think is acceptable for such tech).

My cars are too old to have the start/stop system but I've experienced it in rental cars and my immediate reaction is that I don't like it - especially the lag between when you move your foot from the brake pedal to when the engine actually starts running. It wasn't so bad with a manual transmission (~2016 Mini Cooper) as I often start to ease off of the brake pedal as I start to depress the clutch, so once it's time…

This is how I feel about it as well, although if I think about how slow my current old car accelerates maybe it's not enough of a difference to matter.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#288

Post by Can_Not »

throwawgler87 wrote: post #215
atty wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I almost always take the simpler route, especially in areas I’m not familiar with. It’s a very nice quality of life feature that doesn’t get mentioned much.

Absolutely. I wish Google would do simple, sane routes by default, emphasizing roads that were meant to be thoroughfares. I feel bad, and carsick, treating a quiet and winding neighborhood like a highway. And I hate all the traffic that goes along my residential side road presumably due to Google Maps.

I hate when google thinks I want to save 1 minute by making lightless right turns straight into a rush hour traffic jam.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#289

Post by frosted-flakes »

megous wrote: post #240
john61 wrote: post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not if you experience the self exploration of the world around you as a fun activity. This map disables mindfulness.

This is not a new thing. Google maps were hard to use as a map (on mobile, but on desktop too due to horrible styling) for a looong time for the purpose you state. We just snap a photo of a tourist or transit paper map and use that on holidays. Way faster and easier to use for just walking around or planning a non-direct transit route. Even a basic information like, "will we be walking up a hill" is hard to see on gm…

Google Maps is horrible for use as just a map. I like to use an external Garmin GPS device in my car (with my own custom high-contrast map theme[1]) because it works so well as a HUD map. I rarely set a route, but I frequently refer to it while driving, and as a result I get to know the roads I drive on quite quickly. One of my favourite features is the blue line it paints on the map behind you, which makes it easy to orient yourself when driving in a place you've already been.

[1]: For some reason, both Google Maps and Apple Maps have terrible contrast, to the point where they're completely unusable for me in dark mode, especially while driving. Apple Carplay is useless to me for this reason. Garmin's default map theme is pretty decent, but they actually let you change map themes, and load custom ones if you're so inclined. So I made the street lines bright and bold, with high-contrast keylines. It's an absolute joy to use now.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#290

Post by cam_l »

Loughla wrote: post #271
cam_l wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google maps often sends me on unsealed roads to save a few minutes, when driving in the country. Don't get me wrong, I love this feature but I can understand others would not.

Unsealed. What a fascinating and more specific word I just learned today for what we call gravel roads. That being said, you really have to watch that. There is a popular google maps cut-through near me that takes you down a road we call "bridge out" for, well, obvious reasons. At least once or twice a year the local tow truck operator has to figure out how to haul a car out of the creek down there. There is another…

Oh right, i was adjusting my language for an international audience. We call them dirt roads mostly here, I think on account of them being mostly dirt, though they often do contain gravel. Up north some of the dirt roads are so thick with dust you need to leave a few minutes between car / road train so the dust settles enough to see.

But yeah, I have been sent on 'roads' that are just a little more than overgrown goat tracks, or across private land.

TBH I would try a lot of these roads even if I didn't use google.

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