New augmented map is like Google Map’s AR walking directions to keep you on track

The sun is blinding, the buildings tower above you, and you have no idea if you’re walking toward 23rd or 25th street after emerging from underground. 

You strain to see a block away, but, you can’t see anything that looks like a legible street sign, so you pick a direction and go. Hopefully you won’t be doubling back in a few minutes.

Augmented reality is your friend if you want to prevent these types of situations. Last year, Google Maps added an AR overlay to walking directions to help point you in the right direction. Starting Thursday, transit-planning app Moovit offers the Way Finder tool to help you find the bus or subway stop.

Moovit takes the same concept from mobile app Snapchat in that it takes whatever you point your camera at and adds wayfinders to help you navigate. So if you’re mapping out a route to get on the bus, the bus stop will be highlighted with an arrow above it.

In the Moovit app, you tap the navigate button and get live directions. A blue Way Finder button will come up in response. Simply tap it and then hold up your phone to show the IRL environment around you. Way Finder will populate with important stops in your path. It’s like reality, but with some helpful clues sprinkled in. 

Way Finder mode takes over the top half of the screen with signs on top of your live camera view and includes left and right turn arrows to keep you moving in the right direction. The bottom half of the screen is your typical map view, with your route mapped out. If you bring your phone down, the screen switches to a full map. Don’t worry – you won’t have to stare at the sidewalk. 

The idea for Way Finder came from a Facebook post from a Moovit user who wrote, “A feature that I need for Moovit: Cross the street, stupid. This isn’t the right side.” The Israel-based company took the silly request seriously and built the tool during a hackathon session.

Way Finder is available starting Thursday for iOS users with the latest version of Moovit. Enable the tool in the app settings under “Experimental.”

AR will get you there.