A method, computer system, and computer program product for using sensor data to modify navigation commands. The method may include predicting a user's navigational action and modifying a navigation command based on comparing the user's predicted navigational action to a recommended navigational action. The modifying the navigation command may include communicating a navigation command to a user based on the user's predicted navigational action deviating from a predetermined navigational action. The modifying the navigation command may include suppressing a queued navigation command to a user based on the user's predicted navigational action conforming to a predetermined navigational action. Predicting the user's navigational action may be based on information received from one or more sensors embedded in a vehicle. The modifying the navigation command may include increasing a frequency of communicating a queued navigation command to a user or decreasing a frequency of communicating a queued navigation command to the user.

Methods and systems for determining an emotion of a human driver of a vehicle and using the emotion for generating a vehicle response, is provided. One example method includes capturing, by a camera of the vehicle, a face of the human driver. The capturing is configured to capture a plurality of images over a period of time, and the plurality of images are analyzed to identify a facial expression and changes in the facial expression of the human driver over the period of time. The method further includes capturing, by a microphone of the vehicle, voice input of the human driver. The voice input is captured over the period of time. The voice input is analyzed to identify a voice profile and changes in the voice profile of the human driver over the period of time. The method processes, by a processor of the vehicle, a combination of the facial expression and the voice profile captured during the period of time to predict the emotion of the human driver. The method generates the vehicle response that is responsive to the emotion of the human driver. The vehicle response is configured to make at least one adjustment to a setting of the vehicle. The adjustment is selected based on the emotion of the human driver. The vehicle response can be used to make the driver more calm and/or assist in reducing distracted driving. The prediction of the emotion may be additionally increased by capturing and analyzing touch and/or gesture characteristic of the human driver when interfacing with a graphical user interface or surfaces of the vehicle or systems of the vehicle.

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for improving user experiences for autonomous driving. In context of a method, the method determines one or more autonomous transition region parameters for a respective autonomous transition region along a route. The method also, based on the one or more autonomous transition region parameters, determines whether an action is to be performed by a vehicle in accordance with user preference data associated with a user. The method also causes the vehicle to perform the action in accordance with a determination that the action is to be performed by the vehicle.

An apparatus, method and system utilize an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) in order to support the definition and use of routes by bicyclists, pedestrians or scooters. With respect to defining a bicycle route a map database is accessed that represents roads segments in a geographic area. The map database contains map data that indicates attributes of the road segments. The bicycle route is then defined from an origin to a destination based upon the map data indicative of attributes of the road segments. In this regard, the bicycle route is defined to include one or more road segments that allow bicycle traffic unaccompanied by a UAV and one or more road segments for which bicycle traffic is unauthorized unless accompanied by a UAV. The bicycle route is subsequently caused to be provided to the bicyclist or a device accessible to the bicyclist.

Systems and methods are provided for establishing a hands-free communication session between a user and an electronic device. A triggering event for establishing a communication session with the user of a navigation application is detected. The triggering event may include identification, by the electronic device, of information from the data source that is desirable to communicate to the user at the present time. A level of importance of the information is determined, and a notification in accordance with the determined level of importance is generated, the notification having a first property in a first instance and a second property in a second instance. When, after generating the notification, permission from the user to establish the communication session is received, a communication session between the electronic device and the user including voice output by the electronic device and voice input by the user may be established.

A method and system for providing improved navigation through interactive suggestion of improve solutions along a path of waypoints includes receiving in a user device a destination for a user. Data associated with the destination is transmitted to a network as well as information correlated to a location of the user. Data associated with at least one modified waypoint for an improved navigation solution is received from the network. The modified waypoints are determined in accordance with a set of parameters. Task and notification information are received from the network.

In some implementations, a computing device can provide a map application providing a representation of a physical structure of venues (e.g., shopping centers, airports) identified by the application. In addition, the application can provide a unique venue directory, providing an easy and visual mechanism to search for categories of points of interest (e.g., clothes, food, restrooms) or specific items within the venue. Search results can be presented on a map of a floor within the venue as well as a listing providing all search results located within the venue.

A guidance assistance apparatus includes: a memory that stores a set of instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the set of instructions to: acquire a guidance route through which a guided person is to be guided from routes from a start-point position to an endpoint position; calculate, based on information relating to the routes, an influence level on the guided person in a case in which the guided person deviates from the acquired guidance route, with respect to each of branch places at which the guidance route branches into a route different from the guidance route; and output the calculated influence level.

In some implementations, a computing device can proactively determine a destination and request traffic information for routes from a starting location to the destination. In some implementations, a computing device can identify some routes between a starting location and a destination as non-recommended routes and recommend other routes. In some implementations, a computing device can rank routes between a starting location and a destination based on automatically-determined user interest. In some implementations, a computing device can determine a user is familiar with a route and adjust the information presented to the user about the route accordingly.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for advanced warnings to drivers of vehicles for upcoming signs. An example vehicle includes a GPS receiver to determine a vehicle location. The example vehicle also includes a condition identifier to determine a familiarity level of a driver for the vehicle location and detect an upcoming sign. The example vehicle also includes a warning determiner to compare the familiarity level to a threshold level and provide, in response to the familiarity level being less than the threshold level, an advanced warning to the driver for the upcoming sign.