Polestar has won the AUTOBEST SMARTBEST 2026 award for integrating Google Maps’ live lane guidance directly into the Polestar 4’s driver display. The feature, currently available in the U.S. and Sweden, uses a forward-facing camera and Google’s on-vehicle AI to detect lane markings and road signs on highways.
Highlights
- The AUTOBEST jury, composed of journalists from 32 European countries, recognized Polestar’s lane guidance integration as a major advance in onboard navigation and driver assistance technology.
- Polestar is the first automaker to integrate Google Maps’ live lane guidance into a vehicle’s driver display.
- The system delivers visual and audio lane-change reminders using Google’s AI and navigation data.
- The feature will expand to additional markets, road types, and Polestar models via over-the-air updates in 2026.
How Live Lane Guidance Works
The system displays on the Polestar 4’s 10.2-inch driver display. It uses one of the vehicle’s forward-facing cameras to analyze lane markings and road signs in real time. Google’s on-vehicle AI processes this data to determine the car’s current lane position.
Combined with Google Maps’ navigation, the feature highlights all available lanes for a chosen route. It then provides visual and audio prompts to help drivers change lanes before exits or interchanges. The system targets complex highway environments and heavy traffic conditions.
First OEM Integration
Polestar is the first automotive OEM to bring Google Maps’ live lane guidance to a production vehicle’s driver display. The feature is part of Google’s broader “Google built-in” platform for vehicles.
CEO Michael Lohscheller, who accepted the award at a ceremony in Vienna, called it “a well-deserved recognition of the work from our dedicated R&D specialists and a testament to our successful and long-standing partnership with Google.”
OTA Rollout Strategy
The lane guidance feature reflects Polestar’s broader approach to continuous software-driven upgrades delivered over the air. The rollout begins with Polestar 4 vehicles in the U.S. and Sweden. Additional markets and road types are planned for future updates.
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