Motorbikes are one of the most common ways to travel with 4.1M owners in the Philippines.
They move at different speeds than cars and are more flexible when it comes to traveling through traffic. In the past, motorbike riders had to do a mental calculation to estimate their arrival times based on a combination of walking and driving routes.
But not anymore.
Google recently released a brand new feature in their Google Maps, the “motorbike mode”. Its main function is to help Filipino bikers navigate the roads more effectively by delivering more accurate travel times based on machine learning models that reflect motorbike speeds, avoid restricted roads where motorbikes are not allowed, and an easy-to-memorize routes with a mapping system using landmarks along the way.
Google Maps has a lot of features including those that allow the user to explore a place by pointing out popular places or landmarks, a function that helps the user locate a specific place. The app also enables the user to see traffic conditions live and even one that sends an alert when transit vehicles are nearing, or at their stop but not one specifically for motorbike riders.
Google is dedicated to providing the most local and relevant experience to meet user’s needs. This feature is made in hopes to make travelling via motorbike easier in the Philippines. The company is offering a helping hand to motorbike riders so they can reliably and confidently go where they want to go in order to keep moving forward.
Here’s how it should look like:
