Google Maps rolls out voice guidance for people with visual impairment

Google Maps has started rolling out a new feature that allows people with visual impairments to receive more detailed voice guidance and new types of verbal announcements for walking trips. In what could be first of its kind Google Maps feature, it will tell users if they are on the correct route, the distance until their next turn as well as the direction they are walking in.

Upon approaching a large intersection, Google Maps guides users to cross the road with added caution and upon leaving the route, they get a verbal notification that they are being re-routed. 

"Frequent updates like these not only help a visually impaired person get from A to B, they can also give us more confidence and reassurance when we travel alone," said Wakana Sugiyama Business Analyst, Online Partnerships Group at Google.

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Detailed voice guidance for walking navigation on Google Maps has started rolling out to Android and iOS. Currently, the voice guidance feature is only available in English in the United States and Japanese in Japan. Google says support for additional languages and countries is on the way.

How to enable Google Voice Guidance

To turn the feature on, go to your Google Maps settings and select “Navigation.” At the bottom of the list, you'll find the option to enable "Detailed voice guidance," beneath the “Walking options” heading.

Step 1: Open Google Maps
Step 2: Tap the hamburger menu at the top left corner
Step 3: Go to Settings
Step 4: Go to Navigation Settings
Step 5: Enable 'Detailed voice guidance'

Watch the video below

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