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In a pioneering move, Sydney Airport has become the first in Australia to adopt Google’s innovative Indoor Live View, a feature on Google Maps that promises to transform the travel experience with its augmented reality (AR) capabilities. This groundbreaking technology arrives as Christmas travel peaks, signalling a new era in airport navigation and passenger convenience.

The Indoor Live View, compatible with Android and iOS devices, employs AR to provide real-time directions and distance markers superimposed on the user’s camera view. This advanced system simplifies navigation across Sydney Airport’s sprawling terminals, effectively guiding passengers to gates, baggage claims, check-in counters, terminal transfer points, and various amenities, including retail stores, dining options, restrooms, and ATMs.

Sydney Airport – Google Maps.

Belinda Scanlon, Senior Manager of Business Systems at Sydney Airport, expressed excitement about the launch, stating, “This is a win for our passengers, who will be the first in Australia to benefit from this incredible new AR technology from Google.” She emphasized the tool’s importance for travellers with language barriers and accessibility needs, citing its potential to foster more independent navigation.

Google Maps’ Group Product Manager in Australia, Anthony Bertuca, shared similar enthusiasm. “This is a game-changer for people visiting Sydney Airport,” he said. Bertuca highlighted the technology’s underlying mechanism: global localization. This feature, powered by AI, analyzes billions of indoor Street View images to understand a user’s orientation, offering real-time assistance.

The process of integrating this technology at Sydney Airport was a colossal undertaking. In early 2022, Google began collecting indoor imagery during curfew hours across Sydney Airport’s T1 international and T2 and T3 domestic terminals, covering over 445,000 m². The comprehensive imaging task involved detailed captures of approximately 130 retail stores, 70 food and beverage outlets, 62 gates, and 55 bathrooms.

In addition to visual guidance, the Indoor Live View offers an audio navigation feature, enhancing its usability for a broader range of passengers. Furthermore, visitors can select a ‘Wheelchair accessible’ preference, ensuring the paths recommended are suitable for wheelchairs, prams, and suitcases.

Using this feature is straightforward: passengers enter their desired destination in the Google Maps search bar, select walking mode, and then activate the Live View function for real-time navigation. For general amenities, such as gates and restrooms, users can search for “Sydney Airport” in Google Maps and use the airport’s ‘Directory’ feature.

This innovation at Sydney Airport marks a significant milestone in using AR technology in the travel industry. It enhances the passenger experience by simplifying navigation and sets a precedent for other airports and public spaces worldwide to follow. As travel continues to evolve, technologies like Google Maps Indoor Live View are poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of how we navigate and interact with our surroundings.