Maps now has live traffic updates for users in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa

Authors:

folarin okunola

April 18, 2016 9:17 AM

The live updates will leverage on tech from an Israeli startup called Waze which Google acquired for over $1 billion in 2013.

Real time traffic updates on Google Maps in Nigeria

Starting last Friday Google Maps' live traffic alerts have become available for users of the mobile app in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Google announced the update last Thursday and it means that Maps will give real-time traffic updates to drivers in congested cities like Lagos, Nairobi and Cape Town once they put their apps in Navigation Mode.

“Now when you input your destination, you’ll get a spoken alert for upcoming traffic conditions that helps you identify the quickest route. While you’re on the road, Google Maps will give you a heads up if congestion lies ahead, and how long you’ll be stuck in a jam. You’ll also get the option to take alternate routes, including explanations for why one is recommended – whether it’s the fastest or just avoids traffic,” Google said in a blogpost.

READ: You can now request Uber rides from within Google Maps

The live updates will leverage on tech from an Israeli startup called Waze which Google acquired for over $1 billion in 2013.

In addition to the traffic and accident data from Waze, Google will also receive anonymous bits of data from Android phones that have their location services turned on, as well as iPhones with the Google Maps app open.

Google will analyze all this data and determine how many cars/pedestrians are on the road, how fast they are going, and so on.

The live alerts feature first rolled out to users in the United States back in May, 2015.

Authors:

folarin okunola