If you’ve ever missed a highway exit or made a sudden turn because you were stuck in the wrong lane, Google may soon have the perfect fix. The tech giant has announced a new live lane guidance feature for vehicles with Google built in, which uses artificial intelligence and in-car sensors to offer real-time lane-level navigation.
The feature aims to make driving smoother, safer, and less stressful—especially during heavy traffic or while driving on unfamiliar routes.
How the new lane guidance works
Unlike the current version of Google Maps that only displays static arrows on the screen, the live lane guidance system will detect the exact lane your car is in and instruct you precisely when to switch lanes for upcoming turns or exits.
The feature uses the car’s front-facing camera to detect lane markings and road signs. AI then analyses this visual data, combining it with Google Maps’ navigation information to understand your real-time road position.
For instance, if you are driving in the leftmost lane and your highway exit is approaching on the right, the system will alert you both visually and audibly, guiding you on when it’s safe to change lanes.
Google says this integration will make navigation more intuitive by synchronising AI vision, vehicle hardware, and Google Maps’ route intelligence.
Initial rollout and supported vehicles
The Polestar 4 will be the first vehicle to receive the live lane guidance update in the coming months. Initially, the rollout will begin in the United States and Sweden, before expanding to other markets.
Google has stated that it is already in talks with other automakers to integrate this feature across additional vehicles equipped with Google built-in systems.
In its announcement, the company highlighted that over 2 billion people use Google Maps every month for navigation, trip planning, and local discovery. This new capability, it said, is part of its long-term goal to enhance connected car experiences.
Not available on smartphones
Importantly, Google clarified that the live lane guidance feature will not be available on smartphones, since it depends on the car’s built-in camera and AI processing hardware.
Mobile users will continue to have access to the standard lane guidance feature, which visually indicates upcoming lane changes on highways but does not interact with the driver’s actual lane position.
Merging AI with in-car navigation
The introduction of live lane guidance signals a major step in AI-assisted navigation, bridging the gap between software and vehicle hardware. By combining real-time visual recognition with navigation intelligence, Google aims to reduce the stress and potential risks associated with last-minute lane changes.
The company noted that this feature builds on its ongoing efforts to bring generative AI and contextual understanding to Google Maps, following earlier features such as Immersive View, AI-powered route summaries, and contextual search for places.
Conclusion
As cars become smarter and more connected, Google’s live lane guidance could redefine the driving experience—turning navigation into a truly real-time, AI-powered co-pilot. While smartphone users may have to wait, those driving vehicles with Google built in can look forward to a smoother, safer journey in the near future.