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Google announced that Google Maps for Android now supports indoor maps.
Indoor maps basically helps you navigate large indoor places like airports, malls, large retail stores and more. It let's you find where you need to go and even handles the floor you are on. It is pretty cool.
Check out these demos:
If you own a building and want Google Maps to provide indoor directions, you can go to maps.google.com/help/maps/floorplans/ and go through the process.
Here is a demo of how it works in Ikea:
Here is Google's indoor FAQs.
Have questions?
Forum discussion at Google Maps Help.
Comments:
Michael Cropper
11/30/2011 05:12 pm
Would be interesting to know how this is being powered. Is it Google parsing freely available PDFs or is there some feed for selective partners? If it is the first, then I could create a map of my house for inclusion on Google Maps (not that I would). Nice idea for Ikea, but there is no escape from that shop without walking around every single department and every single isle. It has a worse one way system than most city center roads!
Tom Jepson
11/30/2011 05:14 pm
Just tweeted a joke about the IKEA video and how our homes will be next. Looks like I was right...
Joe Youngblood
11/30/2011 11:54 pm
i went with an ex once and found that if you go back through the makeshift kitchen the staff has emergency stairs you can use..... not sure why we broke up.
Joe Youngblood
12/01/2011 12:03 am
I want to know how it knows what floor i am on. D0es GPS give sea-level data? Google does a horrendous job at major highway overpass/underpass intersections at knowing where I am, so getting it right in mall/airport/apartment building is odd.