Google Maps: Outdated store hours and speed limits will be fixed with AI

Google Maps will update thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a machine learning model the outdated store hours and speed limits, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Businesses have experienced many changes “in recent years”, including constantly updating their hours based on restrictions to deal with the coronavirus crisis.

To keep up to date, Google Maps has developed a machine learning model that identifies the hours of establishments that are not updated, as explained in his blog.

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The AI ​​updates them with its predictions, which it bases on a series of parameters, which the technology explains with the example of a lemonade store. For starters, their systems consider multiple factors such as when the business profile was updated, nearby store hours, and busiest times.

Google’s algorithms then analyze the hours of the closest similar stores (other lemonade stores), the information on their website (if they have one) and even the Street View mode to, based on the images of the facade of the premises, determine the most accurate prediction of your day.

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At the same time, Google takes into account feedback from the Maps community, from local guides to business owners themselves through their Google Business profile to verify predicted information.

In Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and the United States, the company will also call businesses directly to confirm their hours first-hand using Google Duplex conversational technology, an AI that allows calls to be made in place of the user with a human voice and as an assistant.

Google’s goal is to update the hours of more than 20 million businesses around the world in the next six months.

MAPS WILL ALSO UPDATE OUTDATED SPEED LIMITS

Google has also announced that it will proceed to update, starting with the United States, the information regarding speed limits. To do this, the company will partner with other companies that have already collected road images to improve their delivery routes.

Next, Google will use a combination of AI and the help of its operations teams to identify a sign in the image, extract the new speed limit information, and update Maps.

WITH PRIVACY “IN MIND”

The company ensures that all its new features and updates are carried out with “privacy in mind”. In this sense, Google only uses photos taken on public roads.

The technology company claims that it also requires its partners to blur information, such as faces and license plates, to prevent someone from being identified. For an extra layer of privacy, Google blurs the photo again when it receives it and deletes it once it’s been used to update its Maps.

In Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and the United States, the company will also call businesses directly to confirm first-hand their hours using Google Duplex conversational technology. (Photo: Google) (GOOGLE./)

Source: Elcomercio