Developed the first AR navigation app for drivers

Leaping ahead of Google and Apple, Chinese company AutoNavi has unveiled a mapping app that offers augmented reality navigation to drivers.

Updated Amap app shoots on camerathe road and recognizes surrounding objects, including passing cars, pedestrians, lanes, road signs and traffic lights. When the video is displayed on the screen, the system automatically superimposes icons, instructions and warnings on the image.

The driver can also activate additional assistance features such as trackingdistance to the nearest vehicle, warning about the threat of collision or approaching a traffic light, a pedestrian.

According to the developers, the technology of augmentedreality simplifies the perception of signals and makes the management process less stressful. So far, the app is only available on a few Android phones, but the company will soon be adapting it for other models and languages.

So far, this is the only AR navigation app for drivers, as Google Maps Live and Yahoo Japan's solution are only suitable for walking routes.

Recall that last month, Apple announced the development of an application with the function of a digital ignition key and driver ID.

</p>