AI-generated Key Takeaways
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The Navigation SDK for Android is intended for mobile apps providing drivers with real-time turn-by-turn navigation and related functionalities.
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Commercial use is permitted; however, creating products similar to Google Maps, using the SDK in embedded devices (except for projection to systems like Android Auto), and heavy vehicle navigation require explicit consent.
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Implementations must use Google-provided maps and logos without alteration, while UI customizations should prioritize driver safety and avoid distracting or obstructive elements.
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Display the Navigation SDK terms of use and disclaimers about independent judgment, potential cost implications, and real-time condition discrepancies to end-users upon first app usage.
This document lists requirements for applications developed with the Navigation SDK for Android.
Acceptable customer implementation use
The Navigation SDK for Android is designed for providing drivers with real-time turn-by-turn navigation in a mobile application. The data generated by the API may also be used in other applications to share information related to driver status and for general tracking of driver locations.
Disallowed customer implementation
The Navigation SDK for Android is allowed only for commercial applications. The Navigation SDK for Android is not allowed for the following categories of use cases without express prior written consent from Google:
- Heavy Vehicle routing or navigation, such as for buses, trucks, or vehicles with road restrictions, unless the Services explicitly specify supporting heavy vehicle navigation.
Content scraping
Road Name and Speed Limit may be returned to you based on user interactions with your app. If you were to capture or persist the Road Name or Speed Limit for use in any other context outside of the user session, this would constitute scraping, which is not allowed by our terms.
Acceptable modifications to the Navigation UI
The Navigation SDK for Android enables certain UI customizations, such as customizing the navigation map, adding custom markers, changing the size and content of the header and footer surrounding the navigation viewport, or changing the size of the navigation viewport itself. In some situations, you might also want to overlay content on top of the active navigation screen.
When doing so, you may not introduce modifications that inhibit safe use by drivers. For example, the following changes can negatively impact driver safety and must be avoided:
- Showing distracting animations during active navigation.
- Showing overlays on the navigation screen without explicit driver action.
- Positioning overlays on the active navigation screen that hide the driver's current location or permanently block important navigation information. This includes upcoming turns, lane guidance, compass orientation, and all standard UI elements in the navigation experience.
- Removing road network from the navigation map or significantly reducing color contrast of map features on the navigation map.
Other implementation requirements
- You may not modify the Navigation SDK in-product terms without the prior written consent from Google.
- Your app must display to your end users the following information upon their
first usage of the app:
- The Navigation SDK terms of use.
- End users should always exercise independent judgment when using navigation, as information from the Navigation SDK Service may differ from actual real-time conditions.
- End users are solely responsible for costs incurred when following the directions provided by the Navigation SDK service, such as for toll fees or high occupancy vehicle lanes.