Choosing the best navigator for pedestrians. How to enter coordinates in Yandex Navigator? Features and rules. Functions of a modern navigator
According to the company itself, Yandex.Navigator is used by 13 million users. Recently, the navigator spoke in the voices of Vasily Utkin and Optimus Prime, but users are still unhappy: some believe that the navigator builds suboptimal routes, leads straight through traffic jams, or often goes astray. In April, news appeared that the service would soon become partially paid, and in June a search for available parking spaces became available in the navigator. The Village asked Mikhail Vysokovsky from Yandex.Navigator to talk about how the service builds a route, where the traffic forecast comes from, and what innovations to expect.
Mikhail Vysokovsky
Head of the Yandex.Navigator service
Where does the navigator get data from?
Opening the navigator, we see how the arrow moves beautifully along the road line. But in fact, the GPS signal is not like that at all - it is something that constantly jumps: five meters to the left, 20 meters to the right. Therefore, accurately showing the location and guiding a person along the route is a big task for any navigator.
The navigator receives location information from the mobile device: first, the smartphone must understand its geographic coordinate and report it to the Internet service. For example, an iPhone has several sensors: GPS, GLONASS, data from cellular network base stations and Wi-Fi. The iPhone automatically analyzes this and gives the application a specific coordinate, so to speak: “Friend, I know for sure that your coordinates are like this.” How exactly the device determined them - via GPS, GLONASS or cellular network - remains at the discretion of the operating system. With Android it’s a little easier: you can find out where the signal is coming from.
After the coordinates are received from the device, you need to understand where the car is actually moving and what road it is driving on. The navigator receives data about this every few seconds. This is not an easy task, especially if the user is at a difficult junction. The algorithm makes a number of assumptions about where the user actually is. If several signals have been received that a person is driving closer to the backup than to the main road, then the navigator transfers him to the backup. At some point, having analyzed all previous signals, the system may change its decision - then the arrow will be on the main road. At each moment of time, this is making a decision based on the user’s route, previous signals and new ones that arrive.
"Yandex.Maps" and "Yandex.Navigator" use identical algorithms. Sometimes their forecasts and choice of routes diverge: this can happen because even nearby devices can receive slightly different coordinates or build a route with a difference of several seconds. Despite the fact that the platform is single, different teams work on geoservices at Yandex. The Navigator team is responsible for the entire automotive theme and routing - this makes it easier to synchronize.
How does a navigator build a route?
While the user is building a route from point A to point B, the system considers a large number of alternatives and selects the optimal route options. There is a road graph - this is map information where maneuvers are marked: where you can turn and where you cannot. The system goes through different options for combining maneuvers, giving priority to the optimal one in terms of time, and suggests this route, but taking into account traffic jams and current closures. In addition, the navigator usually offers two other routes, they should be different in content - we will not offer exactly the same route, but with a stop at a gas station to save 30 seconds.
Currently, Yandex.Navigator offers a maximum of three route options. We can offer 50 different routes, and let the user think what to do with them. But the results of usability testing show that when a person is given a huge number of routes, it is quite difficult to understand which one to actually choose.
While driving, every two minutes the navigator checks to see if there is a faster route. However, there is some limitation on when this route can be offered. The situation in the city is changing quickly, and if the navigator keeps saying: “We found a route 30 seconds faster,” it will be quite difficult. Now the system offers an alternative if the time savings is more than five minutes, when there is little time before the maneuver. At the same time, if even 30 seconds are important to a person, he can request to search for a quick route himself by going to “Browse” on the application panel.
Now the algorithm is designed in such a way that it optimizes time for each specific user, that is, it builds a route specifically for you. And it does not take into account public welfare when trying to divert flows. (There have been suggestions on the Internet that Yandex.Navigator is trying to globally influence the transport situation in Moscow. - Ed.) But, since there are many users, we inevitably influence the situation on the roads. A few years ago, the navigator was such an elite club - there was a small proportion of people who used the navigator, and the rest were Muscovites. Then users saw: there are traffic jams here, but there are no traffic jams here - and the navigator had no effect on the situation on the roads. Now, when millions of users every day build routes with a navigator, and we tell them that there is no traffic jam here, everyone comes here, and, probably, a traffic jam may appear because of this.
How does the navigator take into account traffic jams?
Every time users travel with the Yandex.Maps or Yandex.Navigator application, they transmit anonymous information about their movements. In total, 13 million people use our navigator in Russia.
Receiving this data, we automatically analyze it on the server and understand that on a certain road, if people are driving slower, there is most likely a traffic jam. We take this information into account and communicate it to users in two ways. The first is a color indicator in the application, the second is that traffic jams are taken into account in the time predicted by the navigator. This is a fully automatic system: data is updated every minute.
Some time ago we built a route, taking into account only current traffic jams. Although in fact the situation is constantly changing, and rush hours are a difficult time for all navigators. Traffic grows chaotically, and the navigator, when constructing a route based on current traffic jams, does not take into account new ones, and because of this, lies in time. Therefore, we are now experimentally taking into account the traffic forecast for the next hour. For such a forecast, we have two factors: the first is the situation in past weeks on this day of the week and at this time, and the second is the situation on the roads at the moment.
After we have predicted traffic jams, we analyze how well we did it. If a person reached the end with the navigator, we know how long it took him to do it, and we can compare it with the navigator’s promise. Our second metric is called “Yandex is lying.” People often complain about how the navigator behaves in Conversations. We count the share of conversations in which Yandex is criticized using the keywords “lying,” “telling a lie,” and all sorts of other curse words. When we display something inaccurately, we see a sharp rise in such conversations - it turns out to be a rather sensitive instrument.
Why does the navigator act up near the Kremlin?
The navigator, like other geolocation applications, receives information about the current location from the device. And he cannot determine how reliable they are. The device does not report that these are bad coordinates, it behaves in a standard way - only the coordinates are not on the Kremlin embankment, but somewhere else.
In a simple way, the navigator cannot do anything with a change in the GPS signal. It behaves according to the principle “what the device says, that’s what I do.” When at the end of last year we realized that the situation on the Kremlin embankment was not a one-time story, but a regular problem, we came up with a new algorithm. Now, if the navigator sees that the coordinate is changing very quickly (for example, the user seems to have flown at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour from one point to another), the system blocks this movement. The navigator arrow does not move anywhere: at this moment, route guidance does not work and the exact position is not determined, but a person can at least navigate on the map where to go, and not find himself in Vnukov’s gray zone. This works when "teleportation" occurs. Unfortunately, there are more complex schemes. Sometimes the coordinate can be transferred not tens of kilometers, but to the next street, then a little more, and then another. In this case, the navigator cannot understand whether this is a false reroll or whether the last value should be trusted.
How changes in the city affect the operation of the navigator
In fact, algorithms need constant improvement. It would seem that he did it - and everything should work endlessly. In general, this would be the case, but the world is constantly changing. In addition to the story of the Kremlin embankment, there are other cases. For example, a year ago, a lot of dedicated lanes for public transport appeared in Moscow: taxis drive on them, but violators also drive on them. In this case, we see that some of the signals are stuck in a terrible traffic jam, and some of the signals are passing through calmly. The algorithm automatically identified this as a traffic jam and highlighted it in yellow - it turned out to be stupid. We have learned to identify signals that differ from the main flow. But the “My Street” program is quite difficult to take into account, because the situation changes every day. Today there is renovation here, and tomorrow on the next street. We take this into account in standard ways - we note and check all messages about overlaps.
How a navigator searches for free parking
One day I was going to the theater. Imagine the situation. The performance starts at 19:00, after the third bell it is difficult to enter. I looked at the traffic jams and decided to go by car. I arrived at the final destination, the navigator reported that we had arrived, but in fact I had not arrived anywhere: I was still driving the car, I saw the theater on the right, but this did not help me at all. Then I see that there is a parking lot on the left, I drive closer and find a sign “For disabled people only.” There is also parking on the right, but it costs 200 rubles. I kind of want to park, but I'm hoping to find a cheaper place. While I’m thinking about where to go, it turns out that I’m standing at a pedestrian crossing, and they’re honking at me from behind. A lot of problems arise. Then I turn into the nearest alley and find myself in God knows where. In the end, I somehow leave the car and run to the theater, but this is a super uncomfortable story.
We realized that parking means new traffic jams. If previously the main problem for Muscovites was traffic jams, now they still remain a problem, but at the same time, navigators have learned to predict them. No navigator has helped with parking before. We did five things. First, when approaching a destination, they began to show where parking is and is not allowed. At this moment, the person is stressed and often does not see the signs, and if everyone is standing, this does not mean at all that parking is allowed here - maybe they have covered up the numbers with paper. The next thing is that when a person understands where he can park, he wants to park not for 200 rubles. That's why we started showing where and for how long you can leave your car. Third, when approaching a destination, the navigator offers a special route so that the user can drive along nearby lanes and be more likely to find parking without going far from the destination. Otherwise, you can turn into a one-way lane and then end up on the Third Ring Road.
But ideally, the user should see where it is actually free. And this is a very complex story. There simply is no such data. We are trying to detect with our algorithms that space has become free. Now the navigator on Android in the background provides us with information - we record that a person has changed the method of transportation from automobile to pedestrian and vice versa. We conclude that he most likely left or took the car. We overlay this data on a parking map and show available spots within five minutes. But now we do not guarantee that it is really free: the place can be occupied in 30 seconds. At the same time, the probability of finding a free place is still high. This feature is already available to users: you can turn on the parking layer and see green dots. After a person has parked, he still needs to pay for parking - we have integrated with a payment service and are testing the payment function.
We look for parking data in different ways. There is open data from the Department of Transport, but it is often out of date and due to reconstruction in the center, it is constantly changing. We are rechecking them. We collect data about other parking lots, for example at shopping centers, manually using a directory of organizations.
Will the navigator be paid?
We feel that the navigator should not do everything the same for everyone. We are currently working on offering special solutions to professional navigator users. For example, the navigator should show taxi drivers the traffic situation on dedicated lanes, and truck drivers should build routes taking into account where they are allowed to go and show the axle load. Now many logistics and transport companies have applications from which our navigator is automatically launched. Previously, we did not know what kind of companies they were and what they wanted. Maybe for a courier company it is necessary to display 50 points on a map and show the optimal route between them. We asked them to register in the system and are now trying to understand what the demand is for. The nearest thing that will appear is navigation for taxi drivers using dedicated lanes. For ordinary users, Yandex.Navigator will remain free.
What innovations to expect
Sitting in a room, you can talk as much as you like about how the navigator is useful or not useful. But behind the wheel the situation changes. Therefore, we regularly test the system, doing rides with users and seeing where the navigator works well and where it does not. In addition, we read reviews a lot - through the support service, in stores and social networks. If some problem comes to the fore, we make a prototype of the function, arrange races, and then test it on some users.
Recently it has become possible to build a route entirely by voice, without using your hands. There are statistics that say that using a smartphone while driving increases the likelihood of accidents by 24 times. Now, when you get behind the wheel, you can say: “Listen, Yandex, let’s go home.”
Only the search for entrances appears. Navigating the last mile, when you need to understand which side of the house to approach from, where there is a barrier and where there is not, used to be quite difficult. Now in the “People's Map” - in a special editor where users can independently add additional information to maps - we have announced a week of entrances. If the entrance has been added to this map, then the navigator will be able to find it now. When there is a lot of data, we will add a more convenient search method.
In Russia, users often complain about poor connections. Now you can only download maps in the navigator, and we are actively working to make it possible to build a route offline.
We want to be more than just a dry tool that leads through traffic jams. Therefore, new voiceovers appear in the navigator: before there were the standard voices of Oksana and Dmitry, then Vasily Utkin and Fyodor Bondarchuk, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee from Transformers appeared. The recording of the stars' voices lasted several hours. When the navigator says, “Turn right in 200 meters,” it’s actually five pieces glued together. Synthesized machine voices are also now available: they differ from regular voices in that they can say many more phrases, such as street names. New voices will emerge for different audiences.
Now you can call a tow truck from the Navigator application. This is not a directly related thing to the navigator. But we are going to develop in this direction. Having a problem with your car? Go to Navigator. Do you need to pay for parking? Go to Navigator. Don't know what to do? Go to Navigator.
While driving along the route, the following are visible on the Navigator screen:
Route segment
To view the entire route, click the button. To return to the current segment, press the button.
Route parameters:
- distance to destination and estimated time of arrival;
- traffic jams on the route;
- upcoming maneuver and distance to it;
- speed limit on the route section.
Note. If the speed limit shown by the Navigator is not correct, click the limit icon and select the current value.
Attention. If the setting is enabled North is always up, then traffic lanes are not shown.
Lanes are displayed in several major cities, at complex turns and intersections. Lanes are also shown if you need to stick to certain lanes when driving.
If a lane is designated for a specific type of vehicle, such as buses or bicycles, a special sign will appear next to it.
To ensure that the Navigator warns about cameras, speeding and traffic conditions, set up sound warnings about traffic events.
Work in the background
The navigator can work in the background, i.e., guide you along the route and give hints when the application is minimized. Background support works both with and without a constructed route.
Today, many people use online services to get the latest information about the situation on city roads. But their creators, Yandex and Google, have long gone further: they have released free navigation applications for mobile devices that should automatically plot a route around traffic jams. True, the “talents” of these products remain unexplored. We decided to fill this gap by conducting our own research.
“Google Navigation”
The Google mapping service has been known and popular for a long time. Gradually, new functions are being added to it: first, the system was taught to show traffic congestion on the website, then on a map in a mobile phone, and a couple of years ago a full-fledged navigation solution appeared. True, it is not independent - it is just an addition, a shell with advanced functions to the classic Google Maps for the Android operating system. It is also strange that, despite its already considerable age (by the standards of computer programs), “Google Navigation” is still labeled as a test “beta” version.
In terms of functionality, the program is good. It has voice input, online search for addresses and objects, and map display with a diagram or satellite image. There is also a pedestrian mode and the possibility of planning a route using public transport. If we consider it from the point of view of the convenience of car navigation, then here it is at its best: voice prompts work in a timely manner, the route and maneuver indications are clear and intelligible. There are no problems with data swapping; the process happens quickly and unnoticed.
In cities, online programs can replace the “big” navigator
But when it comes to avoiding traffic jams, everything is not so rosy. The system shows a fairly detailed picture on the screen - during rush hours, for example, the map of Moscow is replete with blood-red spots of congestion. But trying to get to your destination without going around this madness is not always successful. Most often, the navigator simply plots the shortest route without regard to the road situation. However, sometimes he still offers alternative options. But this happens very rarely. And the choice, as a rule, turns out to be limited: during the test, the program only offered one detour option twice and once, as if being generous, it gave out two of them.
“Yandex.Navigator”
Which Moscow driver has not heard of the Yandex.Traffic service? Before leaving, many people look at the map on the website to understand which streets it is better not to go on now. Over time, the service came to mobile devices, and then turned into an independent navigation program. Moreover, unlike its rival, it is more universal - owners of smartphones and tablets based on Android and iOS can install it.
What do its users get? A very nice interface with excellent indication of traffic jams and the route, fast loading of maps, clear tips. There is also a voice input mode here - according to subjective feelings, it works a little better than Google. More recently, the capabilities of voice control have been significantly expanded: now, by pressing a button with a microphone, you can not only dictate an address or the name of a destination in free form, but also report, for example, an accident.
But there is no pedestrian mode here - the program is clearly aimed at motorists. A small consolation can be provided by additional small icons that are displayed directly on the main screen (just like in the simpler version of Yandex.Maps) - they warn about speed cameras, accidents or repair work.
Unfortunately, the “anti-traffic” function of the domestic navigator works no better than that of the opponent. There is a lot of information on the screen - around the clock the city map is outlined with multi-colored markers. But for some reason, when planning a route, they are not taken into account, as if the system prioritizes the shortest, rather than the fastest, route. This is doubly offensive, because many remember that a couple of years ago the Yandex.Maps program was able to bypass traffic jams on the most remote streets and even sometimes led into industrial zones and courtyard driveways - in general, it went to great lengths to reduce the loss of travel time. Why has the service efficiency decreased so much? It remains a mystery.
Parallel race
Subjective feelings and observations are not enough to draw conclusions. As always, only a confrontation can put an end to the dispute. We set the conditions equal - we simulate a trip from a nearby suburb to work. Our two cars simultaneously start from Khimki, from Panfilov Street, towards the editorial office - to Lobachika Street. Moreover, both drivers drive strictly according to the instructions of their navigator. The start was deliberately scheduled for a relatively late time, because trying to find a detour during rush hours is almost pointless. So, let's go!
When calculating the route for the first time, both programs show the estimated travel time. In our case, Google predicted 38 minutes, and Yandex - 45. Looking ahead, let's say that both were wrong, but Yandex's forecast turned out to be more accurate. But both programs proposed the same route, the simplest - along Leningradka, tormented by constant reconstructions, and the Third Ring. No options, no detours. But we still continue testing.
Both programs are useful, but they don’t completely save you from traffic jams.
The movement is reminiscent of a relay race: a jerk and again slowly crawling in a traffic jam. However, the driver traveling according to the American program experienced several unpleasant moments - after passing through the tunnels, the program cannot orient itself in space for a couple of minutes. It’s good that Yandex does not have such a drawback.
There is no point in talking about the entire route - along the route, neither one nor the other navigator bothered to offer detour options. But right at the finish line, Google made a mistake again: it indicated the wrong exit from the Third Transport Ring! This time our tester ignored the erroneous hint and did it his own way. Otherwise he would have lost another five minutes. If not for this episode, the results could have been considered equal - both crews arrived at the finish line within a minute of each other, that is, almost simultaneously! Accordingly, the travel time turned out to be almost the same: 53 and 54 minutes.
With the onset of the warm season, more and more people prefer to spend time outside. Walking and cycling allow you to relieve stress at the end of the day, improve your health and gain fresh impressions. Moreover, with the help of “” you can now create new walking routes every day.
In the web version of the maps, all you have to do is click on the “Routes” button, and then set the starting and ending points. A smart algorithm will build the shortest route between these points using roads with sidewalks, pedestrian paths, paths, stairs, arches, passages between buildings, and so on.
Please note that it is possible to assemble a route from several points. So if you want to visit several places during the time, then this is not a problem. On the map you can also see the distance to each point and the total time to complete the route. The maximum length of the route is 50 kilometers. However, in most cases this is quite enough.
This function looks no less nice in the mobile application. Here, Yandex.Maps will not only build a walking route for you, but will also guide you along it from start to finish in navigation mode.
Please note that navigating footpaths and paths is quite challenging due to the fact that there are hundreds of times more of them than roads in any given area. However, the developers of Yandex.Maps managed to solve this problem with honor. During my short testing, I plotted routes to places I knew well, and the app almost always found the best option.
This result is achieved due to the fact that not only developers, but also ordinary users took part in filling the Yandex.Maps cartographic database. You can also contribute, because who else, besides you, knows so well all the yards, paths in parks and paths in your area. For this purpose, there is a “People's Map”, the data of which, after approval by moderators, is used when constructing walking routes. Currently, this function works in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
1. Introduction
The largest Russian search engine has had its own mapping service, Yandex.Maps, for quite some time. Following Google, Yandex decided to use existing map data to provide a navigation service. It is designed for smartphones; A distinctive feature of Yandex.Navigator is that it is offboard navigation - that is, maps and other information are stored not in the device’s memory, but on the server and downloaded via the Internet.
2. Installation of the program and distribution kits
Yandex.Navigator is available for devices running iOS and Android and can be downloaded directly from the App Store and Android Market. The size of the distribution is about 12 MB; After downloading the program and confirming all permissions, installation occurs.
There is no need to download maps separately; they are downloaded from the Internet as needed and can be cached in the smartphone’s memory. However, the entire map, as in Yandex.Maps, cannot be downloaded.
The application does not require any settings; To determine location, the system Location API is used, which, in addition to GPS satellites, can use base stations and Wi-Fi; this is enabled in the operating system settings.
3. Interface
The user interface is one of the strengths of Yandex.Navigator. The main screen contains three tabs – “Search”, “Map” and “Favorites”.
The map has translucent buttons for zooming in and out (although this can also be done with convenient multitouch gestures), returning to displaying the current position, a compass and a traffic congestion indicator in “points”. By clicking on it, you can turn off the display of traffic information on the streets.
An interesting design discovery was the coloring of the route line in different colors (from red to green) depending on the intensity of traffic in a given area. In addition, the intensity graph by area is located in the form of a thin multi-colored line above the map. It allows you to estimate how long you have left to travel and how many traffic difficulties await you along the road.
The map screen also displays the time remaining to the finish while navigating. The current speed and other trip data are not visible.
4. Search
The program implements a search very conveniently: instead of selecting any categories, you just need to immediately enter an arbitrary query into the search bar, for example, an address or the name of an organization. More complex search options, for example, intersections, coordinates, points of interest along the route, etc. are not supported. However, under the search bar there are 19 icons of thematic POI categories (from gas stations to bathhouses). By touching this icon, you can display all POIs of this type on the map and, by clicking on their icons, display detailed information about them and plot a route to them, visually monitoring their location and ease of entry.
Destination points can be added to “Favorites”, and the section contains convenient ready-made templates with icons, for example, “Home” and “Go to work”.
5. Route planning
When planning a route, the system offers two alternative options: the fastest and the shortest. The length and time of the route are displayed on two tabs at the top of the screen, and the routes themselves are also visible on the map.
Once selected, the route is laid out once and does not change during the movement. Even if you leave the route while moving, it will remain the same and will remain lonely waiting for you on the map - to create a new route, you will have to use the search again.
The road graph is also far from perfect, so Yandex.Navigator can plot a route along a non-existent road or make a prohibited maneuver, so you can’t rely on the navigator, you need to keep your eyes peeled.
6. Traffic jams
“Yandex.Traffic” has its own analytical center, which collects statistical data from traffic participants and from other sources, for example, from cameras on the streets. The reliability of information about traffic jams in large cities is quite high. Along with traffic jam data, user messages about road accidents (with comments from traffic participants), cameras, road repairs and bridge constructions are also loaded. Other users who see the event notification can confirm or deny its existence. For each event, the time it was added is indicated so that the user can assess its relevance.
Traffic intensity is measured in points from 1 to 10, which allows you to assess the general situation in the city before leaving: with 9-10 points, it is better to immediately go by metro or bicycle.
7. Online services
Among the online services, “Conversations” should be noted - users can leave arbitrary messages linked to places, accessible to everyone else. Most often these are attempts to demonstrate their own wit by those stuck in traffic jams, but sometimes useful information is also found.
8. Recording tracks/routes
Recording tracks in the program is not implemented.
9. Settings
Yandex.Navigator settings allow you to enable or disable automatic switching to night map display mode at dusk, select categories of displayed user points and voice prompts (male, female, or disabled). The amount of memory used for caching maps is also displayed here so as not to load them every time; The cache can be cleared.
10. Cartography
10.1. Russia
“Yandex.Navigator” contains detailed (up to the house, often with internal driveways) maps of most cities in Russia. For some cities there are no detailed maps, but for them there may be “People's Maps”, i.e. compiled by users rather than professional cartographers. On such maps, POIs are displayed on the map itself, as, for example, in Navitel.
You can also use not ordinary maps, but satellite images. This increases the amount of data downloaded from the Internet, but makes the picture more realistic.
10.2. World
Yandex maps with main roads include the entire globe, but routing, in addition to Russia, is only possible along the roads of Ukraine. For other countries, only search works; You will have to watch the road and think where to go on your own.
11. Personal impression
The first version of Yandex.Navigator is not yet capable of replacing such onboard navigation systems as Navitel, CityGuide, Progorod, etc. So far, its functionality and quality of work are only suitable for preventing you from completely getting lost in an unfamiliar area if you have no other means of navigation.
Advantages
The main advantage of Yandex.Navigator is that it is free and, if necessary, can be quickly installed on any smartphone. I am also pleased with the simplicity and aesthetics of the interface.
Flaws
Very primitive functionality, poor development of the road graph and dependence on the Internet (which, for example, may not exist in a deep forest) do not allow the program to be classified as a serious navigation solution. In addition, the program is only conditionally free: to use it you will have to pay for mobile Internet, and if the unlimited tariff option is not connected to your smartphone, then the per-megabyte payment for a couple of trips will “eat up” all the savings from the free application.
