UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation • Hacker News Board

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#31

Post by aidos » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 7:05 PM UTC

calciphus wrote: post #22

So...Google Maps for Android has this feature, and has for at least the last two years. If you tap the little compass icon in the top right, you switch from "north is up" orientation to "current user direction". This uses the compass and not direction of travel, by the way, because it works if you spin around on the spot. I've never had a problem with the compass. In fact, I've never had to recalibrate my compass. Bu…

Which is exactly how it's always worked on the iPhone (since getting a compass in 2009).

I'm pretty direction savvy but I find that whole spinning map thing pretty confusing. I think this interface is nicer - turn right, turn right, walk. Seems really intuitive to me.

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#32

Post by aidos » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 7:08 PM UTC

meaty wrote: post #23

Bad idea. If you have to stare at that going round a corner you are going to end up stuck in the back of a bus.

"When you’re on foot just stepping off the bus at a crowded intersection..."

I think you missed the point. It's not an aide to use while you're following the directions (like a TomTom). It's there so you know which way to walk at the start of your journey.

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#33

Post by Terretta » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 7:29 PM UTC

Nursie wrote: post #21

zachrose wrote: post #10

I would happily carry a candy bar-sized object that connects wirelessly to the map app on my phone and haptically let's me know when it's pointed in the right direction. This would mean that: 1) A better compass can be used and 2) I don't have to look down at my phone.

A candy-bar sized device with some sort of built-in vibration function? You'd need a microcontroller and a bluetooth module, but I think I know where you can get a prototype. They usually have a grip-friendly and rain-protecting latex outer shell too...

But then users would be constantly selecting "most turns" routes.

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#34

Post by Terretta » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 7:36 PM UTC

murbard2 wrote: post #14

gringofyx wrote: post #11

I was thinking about a similar idea today, why isn't navigation done in Street View??? So many times I've driven past a turning because I've not been sure if that's the right one. If Street View was used for directions, then this guys problems would be solved because he could pick out the landmarks

Don't show street view, show the camera's feed and correlate it with street view, the GPS position and the compass in order to superimpose directions on the image. Light condition changes would be a pretty tough problem to solve though.

Isn't it extraordinary that you're carrying a device powerful enough to make your suggestion plausible?

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#35

Post by Terretta » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 7:43 PM UTC

kyro wrote: post #17

markkanof wrote: post #15

This seems destined to cause a huge number of car accidents. Instead of looking at the road people will be staring at the screen watching to see if they have turned enough.

I should've clarified, but this is more for foot transportation.

I find walking with the map on auto-rotate mode helps friends with spatial orientation problems find their way, as does using sat view.

Personally, I prefer "North Up" view, even in automobile GPS. I find this improves imprinting of location and orientation through the spatial relationships, leaving me better able to navigate without the GPS.

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#36

Post by zachrose » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 8:11 PM UTC

Terretta wrote: post #33

Nursie wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A candy-bar sized device with some sort of built-in vibration function? You'd need a microcontroller and a bluetooth module, but I think I know where you can get a prototype. They usually have a grip-friendly and rain-protecting latex outer shell too...

But then users would be constantly selecting "most turns" routes.

Are you guys talking about dildos?

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#37

Post by electic » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 8:34 PM UTC

This is not a good idea. It requires you to "look" at the screen. A good nav app has great voice prompts alongside accuracy.

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#38

Post by stcredzero » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 8:56 PM UTC

As it has been noted, the one primary problem is with data. The other is with deciphering user conventions in referring to that data. The Nokia maps app for iOS knows where the nearest supermarket is to me, but still refers to it as "Albertson's."

When human beings give directions, they can use information from the other party to improve their directions. How is this done with maps apps currently? I guess turn-by-turn apps can detect when someone deviates from the directions and use this data as feedback.

I wonder how much a maps/navigation app would benefit from being able to detect exclamations of anger? Or, even simpler, what if there was a "WRONG!" button positioned right where someone could press it on impulse? Or let users violently shake the device to let the server know they're mad? (Maybe activate a sound recording of their complaint for that 10 second timespan?)

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#39

Post by acheron » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 9:05 PM UTC

gringofyx wrote: post #11

I was thinking about a similar idea today, why isn't navigation done in Street View??? So many times I've driven past a turning because I've not been sure if that's the right one. If Street View was used for directions, then this guys problems would be solved because he could pick out the landmarks

I can see it now: "Turn right after passing the building that was torn down 5 years ago".

Streetview is not entirely worthless, but it's hardly something to rely on either.

Re: UX Idea: Real Turn-by-Turn Navigation

#40

Post by ars » Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 11:51 PM UTC

alexhawdon wrote: post #9

As others have pointed out, it's the noisiness of the compass sensor itself that's the real problem - this isn't something that can be fixed in UI. Assuming you're pointing the device in the direction of travel, you can move forwards and combine the new position information to reduce this noise - I believe Google Maps does this on Android. One could possibly envisage also using data from the phone's camera and corres…

Why not just use the inertial sensor to always keep track of which way the phone is pointing?

I know those drift after a while, but with GPS corrections, it should certainly manage to keep orientation while someone is getting off a bus, or turning around in a parking lot.