In an Australian airport first, Google has launched Indoor Live View at Sydney Airport, just in time for the Christmas travel rush.
The new augmented reality (AR) feature on Google Maps provides arrows, directions, and distance markers superimposed on the camera view, to point people in the right direction across the terminals.
Google Indoor Live View will help passengers locate gates, baggage claims, check-in counters, terminal transfer points, retail outlets, dining options, bathrooms, ATMs, and more.
Visitors can also select the ‘Wheelchair accessible’ preference to find wheelchair, pram and suitcase friendly paths. They can also turn on audio navigation prompts, in addition to visual cues.
The new AR technology is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
In early 2022, Google first began collecting indoor imagery during curfew hours across Sydney Airport’s T1 international and T2 and T3 domestic terminals, which together span more than 445,000m2.
Capturing all the content was a mammoth task that included getting detailed imagery of close to 130 retail stores, over 70 food and beverage outlets, 62 gates and 55 bathrooms across the terminals.
“This is a win for our passengers, who will be the first in Australia to benefit from this incredible new AR technology from Google,” senior manager (business systems), Sydney Airport, Belinda Scanlon, said.
“Whether travellers are looking for their gate, a bathroom or even a place to grab a bite to eat, they now have the directions they need at their fingertips.
“This is an especially great tool for travellers facing language barriers and accessibility needs, as it will help them navigate the airport more independently.”
Google Maps’ Australian group product manager, Anthony Bertuca said, “Google Australia is proud to partner with Sydney Airport to launch Indoor Live View at Australia’s largest airport.”
“This is a game-changer for people visiting Sydney Airport, as AR directions can help people have an enjoyable and smooth travel experience.
“It’s powered by a technology called global localisation, which uses AI to scan tens of billions of indoor Street View images to understand your orientation and provide assistance in real-time.”
How to use Google Maps Indoor Live View at Sydney Airport
- Searching for specific destinations inside the airport? Simply enter the query in the Google Maps search bar, select walking mode, and tap the Live View button.
- Searching for general airport amenities like gates and restrooms? Just enter “Sydney Airport” into the Google Maps search bar and click on the airport’s ‘Directory’ button to access various categories.
- Once you’ve identified the destination, click on the Live View button to begin real-time navigation guidance.
