The improvements I made to Google maps center on enabling users to plan their trips more efficiently when they have to venture out to their local grocery or general store. By making wait times more visible and establishing a central system for where to look for updates on in-store measures regarding COVID-19, this update adds more value to Google Maps in order to assist users during a time of heightened paranoia in public spaces.

The Problem

Due to the COVD-19 pandemic, everyday life has been turned upside down and shopping has become a new experience. This paradigm shift has resulted in digital information to be even more essential, with Goggle at the centre of it. Rather than patrons focussing on how long it will take to travel to a store, the target now is on how long patrons will wait in line at grocery stores and what in-store measures are established at each location.

The Question

How can Google utilize Google Maps’ algorithm to track store lines and patron traffic

along with the location-specific in-store measures regarding COVID-19?

Prototype 1

The first prototype adds two features to the primary interactions after tapping a store in maps: The red notification icon for updates and the wait time indicator. I broke away from Googles style guide to bring attention to these icons because users would immediately notice a new feature added to the right side which is traditionally empty. By tapping the store notifications, a small pop up appears identifying which in-store measures are taken at that store. Feedback gathered from speaking to friends and family revealed that they never knew what safety protocol stores have in place during this global pandemic. 

Prototype 2

The second prototype follows Google Maps’ style guide and the improvements were made by reorganizing information. I brought up the wait and popular times to the top of the overview information, resulting in an easier experience rather than scrolling past general store information. The prototype highlights the ‘live’ wait time but users can further interact with it and see how long shoppers spend at the store to calculate your trip accordingly. As well, I improved the updates section to be less text-heavy and rely more on icons for visual cues. This allows the user to glance at the in-store measures and know immediately if they can’t bring their reusable bag or if a store requires a mask.