Komoot has introduced a new function called Trail View. It combines maps with images from its own community using AI-supported image recognition technology. In total, more than 15 million photos from over 28 million users have been scanned and made available for the new feature, Komoot explains. This adds photos to maps and brings paths and trails to life. When planning a route, users should be able to better assess whether a planned route or a planned trail is suitable for their sport and ability. The new Trail View function is available to all Komoot users, not just Premium subscribers.
Komoot Trail View - On-site photos complement the map
To use the new function, you first have to change the map layer to Trail View in the Komoot route planner. You will now see small green dots on the map. Clicking on these dots will display images from the Komoot community who have already travelled the route and uploaded photos. Good to know:
The technology scans the uploaded photos and only shows those that actually depict paths and trails. Images that do not fulfil the criteria are not included (e.g. images with faces, animals, landscapes, buildings, etc.).
The on-site insights allow you to see what it really looks like. This makes it easier to decide whether a route is suitable for the planned mountain bike tour or for another chosen sport. Information about the condition and nature of the trail helps in many ways:
- Choosing the right equipment for a planned MTB tour, for example
- Reducing risks when hiking with a group or family
- Avoid unsuitable paths, for example, on a gravel bike tour you can avoid paths where there are large boulders
More fun from start to finish and a better assessment of the tour are the results that Komoot sees for its own users.
Komoot wants to achieve continuous improvement through new photos
Currently, around one million of the images provided to the platform by users show paths and trails. The more such photos are added, the more images will also be displayed in Trail View and could make route planning easier for others.
How the Trail View function works in practice
Let's assume we are planning a ride that should be easy for MTB beginners. We open Komoot, switch the map layer to Trail View and enter the planned starting point. By clicking on the green dots, we can see whether the trails marked on the map meet our requirements: Not too bumpy, roots okay, but not too many roots, preferably not a very steep slope next to the chosen trail and much more.
The same principle can of course be used to increase the level of difficulty of the MTB tour or to plan a tour for gravel bikes.
Strava also recently added more information to its maps >> Read the article <<
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
