Navigation

Overview

Navigation is the top feature US consumers want to be able to use in the vehicle with voice capability Amazon JD Power. Alexa can help the customer browse local businesses, find a point-of-interest (POI), or navigate to a specific address. Alexa leverages the existing navigation solution in the vehicle, handing off to your onboard navigation provider. Helping customers with navigation and search requires a properly integrated multi-modal experience (voice and screen). The navigation journey has been broken down into different requests that include a mix of required and recommended features.

When Alexa hears a navigation request, it will pass along the request in one of the following (but not limited to) types:

  • A request to display directions
  • A request to show a list of search results
  • A request to add a stop (waypoint)
  • A request to cancel a stop (waypoint)
  • A request to show alternative routes
  • A request to get turn and lane guidance
  • A request to cancel navigation

(Required) Support onboard navigation to receive destinations from Alexa

Support voice-initiated destination inputs from Alexa, in order for customers to use Alexa for navigation.

Display Directions

A customer says “Alexa, navigate to 123 Main St.”

(Required) Display directions on onboard navigation

When Alexa passes a request to display directions, display a route overview on a map from the provided start and endpoints, with a line drawn on the recommended route. Display arrival time, travel time, and/or distance from starting location. If supported, consider displaying alternate routes as well.

(Required) Do not require tactile confirmation

When Alexa passes a request to display directions or to add a stop, do not require the user to touch to confirm. When the result is specific, for example, “Alexa, take me to 123 Main St.”, then Alexa will confirm the destination with the user, and send the confirmed request to the navigation provider. No additional confirmation is needed.

When Alexa passes a request to display directions, the map should first show a complete overview of the route before zooming in and transitioning directly to navigation.

List of Search Results

A customer says “Alexa, find the Natural History Museum.”

(Required) Display customer search results provided by Alexa

When Alexa provides a list of POI search results, then display applicable metadata: name, distance and/or travel time from starting location, and key information (star rating, operating hours, address, etc.). If displaying multiple POIs, allow users to choose a destination by saying, “The second one” or “One Ounce on Castro Street”. Include “navigate” and “call” (if phone number available) action buttons on detailed views, and offer customers a tactile path to trigger supported actions. Search results should timeout if the customer has not triggered an action after a suitable period of time.

When Alexa provides POI search results, then display POIs as numbered* pins on a map, accompanied by an info card off to the side of displaying the above requirements - (Display customer search results provided by Alexa). Center pins on the area of the map that is not covered by the info/display card. Search results should timeout if the customer has not triggered an action, at which point you should recenter the map on the customer’s current location.

In the case of multiple POIs, if size permits, POI pins should always be identified with numbers, so that the customer can easily select a pin by voice.

If using Alexa Display Cards like the examples below, or displaying search results, avoid covering up any active route guidance (e.g. display them off to the side of an active route).

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LocalSearchListTemplate2 as an example
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LocalSearchDetailTemplate1 as an example

Add a Stop (Waypoint)

A customer says “Alexa, add Natural History Museum to my route”

(Required) Allow customers to search during navigation, and to add as a waypoint

If Alexa provides an address, a favorite, or a single POI while navigation is active, then allow users to add as a waypoint. Display a subset of applicable metadata: additional travel time, key information (name, star rating, operating hours, address, etc.), and other travel info (arrival time, travel time, distance, etc.). The customer should be able to freely change between modalities (touch/voice). Include action buttons to allow adding a stop (required) & a new destination (recommended), and offer customers a tactile path to trigger this action. Search results should timeout if the customer has not triggered an action, at which point you should return to navigation view and recenter the map on the customer’s current location.

When adding a waypoint, zoom out the map to display both the customer’s current location and the provided waypoint(s) as a pin on the map. Display the required elements listed above.

Cancel a Stop (Waypoint)

A customer says “Alexa, remove Natural History Museum from route”

(Required) Remove waypoint upon customer request

When Alexa passes a request to remove a waypoint, then remove the applicable stop from navigation, and provide a visual update (i.e. rerouting text on screen) to the customer to show that the waypoint has been removed.

### (Recommended) Preview route prior to automatically starting navigation.

When Alexa passes a request to display directions, the map should first show a complete overview of the route before zooming in and transitioning directly to navigation.

When a waypoint is removed, display updated route overview using the customer’s current location as the start point, and include pins for any remaining stops. The full route should be visible on the map prior to zooming in on the ongoing navigation.

Show Alternative Routes

A customer says “Alexa, show me an alternate route”

When Alexa passes a request to display the route overview and/or alternate routes during navigation, then zoom out such that the entirety of the remaining route is visible. Include the customer’s current location and endpoints, with a line drawn on the current route, alternate routes displayed in a different color (if applicable), and trip summary and next maneuver information. With alternate routes, display the differences in travel times between the current route and the alternates available. Offer customers a tactile path to initiate navigation on an alternate route via some form of non-voice input. If a customer chooses to switch to an alternate route, then provide some form of status indicator that the route is updating, and then display the full route on the map prior to zooming in and initiating navigation. If the customer has not initiated navigation on an alternate route, return to default navigation screen with the map zoomed in on the ongoing navigation.

If the full route overview is requested and includes multiple stops, consider displaying the overall trip stops as numbered pins on the map in order of trip sequence.

Turn and Lane Guidance

A customer says “Alexa, which exit should I take”

When Alexa passes a request to get turn guidance during navigation, then the customer’s current location and the upcoming maneuver should be visible on the map, as well as the appropriate text overlay for the next maneuver.

When Alexa passes a request to display the next maneuver during navigation — which will occur when a user asks for next turn and/or lane guidance — zoom out such that both the customer’s current location and the upcoming maneuver are visible on the map, as well as the appropriate text overlay for the next maneuver. Adjust the zoom as the user approaches the upcoming maneuver or after a suitable period of time.

Cancel Navigation

A customer says “Alexa, cancel navigation”

(Required) Cancel navigation upon customer request.

When Alexa passes a request to cancel navigation, then cancel navigation, and provide a visual update (i.e. return to home screen navigation) to the user that the trip has been cancelled.

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Last updated: Nov 25, 2023