Google Maps - what routing and settings are now being used?

[kemxns]

Just like lots of folks here, I find the Google Maps "upgrade" leaves a lot to be desired. I think we all expected equal or better features and functions as the previous MapBox but we're finding lots of places where things have gotten demonstrably worse. In my case I agree that moving through turns and the (lack of) curved lines is obvious. Rather unexpectedly I find the routing is far worse. Google seems to simply not know about certain turns or interchanges and can offer many miles of unnecessary routing.

Here's my twist that I don't think anyone has asked or mused about yet: can we figure out precisely what settings Rivian is using for the routing? Like, why does it work so poorly?

I have an iPhone 16 Pro and a Google Pixel 9 Pro, both essentially OEM stock configs, and I frequently A/B test the Rivian against other routing (for example I have both phones doing Google Maps routing next to the Rivian's routing... in this case both phones took the obvious path and Rivian totally screwed the pooch).

things I've checked
* Google Maps on both platforms, with and without EV car choice
* Apple Maps
* Waze on both platforms
* phones with and without incar wifi hotspot (in case that modifies routing in some way. spoiler: it does not)

Sponsored

 

[Dave Cundiff]

You should have seen the new Google Maps trying to route me through a complex shopping center in Longview, WA.

One route, to a nearby store that I could see, looked like a bobby pin: about 500 feet there and back.

I think Rivian will figure it out. Until then, it's sometimes pretty entertaining.

Best to all!

 

[azbill]

Rivian has obviously implemented Google maps in a half assed way. I have Google maps in a GM vehicle and it works just like my phone. Also has all the chargers that PlugShare does.

 

[azbill]

You should have seen the new Google Maps trying to route me through a complex shopping center in Longview, WA.

One route, to a nearby store that I could see, looked like a bobby pin: about 500 feet there and back.

I think Rivian will figure it out. Until then, it's sometimes pretty entertaining.

Best to all!

The old nav was no better. I charged my Rivian a few times at the RAN in Kingman AZ, which is in a strip mall parking lot. Every time it took weird routes both into and out of the parking lot. On one of the trips it took me past the exit and had me do a u-turn at the next exit to get back to the charger. And in the parking lot it did not really know the exact location of the chargers, while I was plugging in it told me to continue driving west.

 

[kemxns]

Rivian has obviously implemented Google maps in a half assed way.

Clearly... but like... how? I'm so curious to understand how they managed to f it up, you know?

 

[shortyjacobs]

I just don’t get it. Google maps has been the gold standard for eons, and it’s phenomenal with EVs. I don’t get why Rivian wouldn’t just skin it and call it a day. My polestar has just a re-skinned Google maps and it’s perfect, no notes. Autoroutes, handles charge predictions exceptionally well: I would be confident putting an EV newbie in it, choosing a destination 2k miles away, and just tell them to have fun. With the Rivian I know I’d be getting calls within the hour.

 

[tate16t]

If you recall, the last update had ride improvements but they pulled those back for some reason. Perhaps they found a bug big enough to warrant not releasing it. Then, the .22 release was delayed and all of a sudden changed to include Google Maps. I think Google Maps was a filler, not truly ready for prime time and will have future updates. Not sure why.

 

[SeaGeo]

Clearly... but like... how? I'm so curious to understand how they managed to f it up, you know?

It's a new product from Google, and Rivian is the first using it. Google maps in GM vehicles is the google maps app provided as part of android automotive. They are the first to use the maps SDK, so it doesn't surprise me if we run into some differences along the way as they (both google and Rivian) work out any kinks.
https://blog.google/products/maps/rivian-is-getting-a-new-navigation-system-with-google-maps/

If you recall, the last update had ride improvements but they pulled those back for some reason. Perhaps they found a bug big enough to warrant not releasing it. Then, the .22 release was delayed and all of a sudden changed to include Google Maps. I think Google Maps was a filler, not truly ready for prime time and will have future updates. Not sure why.

That is extremely unlikely WRT the the maps. Being the first to roll out using the new SDK from google isn't a small thing and not some thing they would have "tossed in" just for shits and giggles.

 

[kemxns]

I had no idea it’s a new product!

 

[MonumentalRiv]

It's a new product from Google, and Rivian is the first using it. Google maps in GM vehicles is the google maps app provided as part of android automotive. They are the first to use the maps SDK, so it doesn't surprise me if we run into some differences along the way as they (both google and Rivian) work out any kinks.
https://blog.google/products/maps/rivian-is-getting-a-new-navigation-system-with-google-maps/


That is extremely unlikely WRT the the maps. Being the first to roll out using the new SDK from google isn't a small thing and not some thing they would have "tossed in" just for shits and giggles.

That would make sense - but this is from that Google press release: "This means that Rivian drivers can now use Google Maps’ trusted routing, ETAs, traffic insights, satellite imagery and helpful information about places in their vehicles — while keeping Rivian’s unique in-car design and features like EV charging stop planning and Charging Scores."

So the maps and routing should all be from Google Maps... so i wonder what's causing this.

 

[SeaGeo]

That would make sense - but this is from that Google press release: "This means that Rivian drivers can now use Google Maps’ trusted routing, ETAs, traffic insights, satellite imagery and helpful information about places in their vehicles — while keeping Rivian’s unique in-car design and features like EV charging stop planning and Charging Scores."

So the maps and routing should all be from Google Maps... so i wonder what's causing this.

Me too. Just pointing out that it's not them "just using google maps." Rivian and Google are both working with a new product.

 

[MonumentalRiv]

Me too. Just pointing out that it's not them "just using google maps." Rivian and Google are both working with a new product.

Agree, something is getting lost in the translation between Google and Rivian.

 

[tate16t]

It's a new product from Google, and Rivian is the first using it. Google maps in GM vehicles is the google maps app provided as part of android automotive. They are the first to use the maps SDK, so it doesn't surprise me if we run into some differences along the way as they (both google and Rivian) work out any kinks.
https://blog.google/products/maps/rivian-is-getting-a-new-navigation-system-with-google-maps/


That is extremely unlikely WRT the the maps. Being the first to roll out using the new SDK from google isn't a small thing and not some thing they would have "tossed in" just for shits and giggles.

It's a new product from Google, and Rivian is the first using it. Google maps in GM vehicles is the google maps app provided as part of android automotive. They are the first to use the maps SDK, so it doesn't surprise me if we run into some differences along the way as they (both google and Rivian) work out any kinks.
https://blog.google/products/maps/rivian-is-getting-a-new-navigation-system-with-google-maps/


That is extremely unlikely WRT the the maps. Being the first to roll out using the new SDK from google isn't a small thing and not some thing they would have "tossed in" just for shits and giggles.

Agreed, not saying it’s a small thing but saying it looks like they didn’t do enough beta testing before releasing it and their backs may have been against the wall to release something to stay on target with their release schedule.

 

[Motoarzon]

I wish the NTSA would "order" Rivian to deploy Android Auto and Apple Carplay. At least in the interim until they have a voice input (not garbage Alexa) to announce a map destination. More importantly how does a vehicle like this not have a voice input text messaging feature.
Rivian can say all they want how they're working on it (like, for years now) but in the meantime they should be given a 1month deadline to enable Android Auto & Carplay or a stop sale order.
In the meantime I've ordered EV Play and willl have full Android auto & carplay in the next few weeks.

 

[waitingonanr1s]

Agreed, not saying it’s a small thing but saying it looks like they didn’t do enough beta testing before releasing it and their backs may have been against the wall to release something to stay on target with their release schedule.

That's what connect + subscribers are for!

Sponsored