Polestar has been awarded the prestigious AutoBest SmartBest 2026 for the integration of Google Maps’ live lane guidance feature into the driver display of the Polestar 4. This recognition comes from the Autobest Jury, an independent panel of automotive journalists representing 32 European countries.
The jury praised the innovation, saying the award marked “an important step forward in intelligent onboard navigation and driver assistance technology.”
Accepting the award at a ceremony in Vienna on March 19, CEO Michael Loeschler highlighted the achievement as evidence of the company’s software-first approach and its long-term collaboration with Google.
Polestar is the first automotive manufacturer to integrate Google Maps’ live lane guidance directly into the driver display of a production vehicle. Designed for cars with Google built-in, this feature enhances navigation by helping drivers stay in the correct lane, especially in complex highway scenarios and dense traffic situations.
The system combines the advanced navigation capabilities of Google Maps with AI-powered insights to deliver real-time visual and audio prompts. A redesigned interface displays all available lanes for a given route while clearly indicating the vehicle’s current position.
Live Lane Guidance operates via a forward-facing camera that analyzes road elements such as lane markings and traffic signals using Google’s AI technology. This enables timely signaling for lane changes, improving both convenience and driving safety.
This feature is displayed on the Polestar 4’s 10.2-inch driver screen, providing a more intuitive and immersive navigation experience.
As part of Polestar’s over-the-air (OTA) update strategy, this innovation underscores the brand’s commitment to continuously enhancing its vehicles with new software-driven capabilities. The feature will roll out to Polestar 4 models in the United States and Sweden in 2026, with plans to expand to additional markets and road types in the future.
