Just a few clicks: Komoot—> Explore—> Starting point and here a varied proposal of itineraries behind the house or wherever you are appears on your smartphone or PC (at the beginning an image from Facebook/Komoot). These are the new Explore functions which with an innovative cartographic interface help to find routes by selecting surface, difference in height, distance and many other parameters that allow you to customize your search and find tailor-made routes, suited to each user's idea of adventure. Intuitive and interactive, this feature, already present but renewed, allows you to explore everything that can be approached around you with a virtual tourist guide that accompanies you with points of interest and streets to discover. We talk about it with Andrea Girlanda, Italy Manager of Komoot.
How does this “new” Explore feature work?
We're talking about a feature that actually already existed, but has been revamped. We always start from the possibility of set up a territory, whether it's home or wherever you are for the holidays or even just for a day out, and set off on your ride.
Once the location is set, what is offered to us?
Once selected, based on algorithms who know how people move around the territory, the function offers a series of possible itinerariesThe interface has been improved and allows the user to view each proposed route much more easily than before. I can therefore click and peek at every feature before you even choose itFrom the direction in which it should be approached, to the difference in altitude, to the kilometers, up to the altimetric profile.
I can therefore quickly decide which route to take just by moving the mouse or my finger on my smartphone…
Yes, it's all much faster and more intuitive. I can understand in advance if it is actually suitable for my characteristicsSimply by selecting the type of business and surface area, the offer is narrowed down to suit your needs.
How is the route network updated?
It's an mix of information in our possession, added to territorial data and how people move around the territory.
What do the photos that appear next to the tour represent?
The images you see are the so-called Highlights (points of interest). These are the most interesting points that users or the aforementioned algorithms have identified on the selected route. So you don't just have a line on the map, but I have territorial information, altitude difference and all the notions that are shared between communities.
We mentioned a starting location/territory. Can we narrow the search even further?
Sure, let's say a hotel. You type and you set “start here”, after which the tours are recommended passing through that point. Some of the routes obtained by typing the territory will be replicated, but at the same time they will be readapted to my starting point.
Can I plan laps and save them for when I get to the starting point?
Of course, everyone has a profile on which they can create a own portfolio of tours and itineraries that you want to do in the near or distant future.
Can the routes suggested by Explore be modified?
Yes, both if you know different roads, and to add points of interest. Let's imagine a monument within a cityWe can include it in the proposed itinerary and we will know that at kilometer “X” we will encounter a new Highlight.
What kind of filters can I insert?
The filters were already present, but they have been expanded. I can change the duration, difficulty, altitude difference, type of surfaces. Or the type of itinerary – whether a circular tour or a round trip – or just one rather than the other. Once all these parameters have been set, the range of options will adapt to your needs with a rich but tailor-made series of options.
How much work did it take to implement this major update?
The feed in Italy has been unblocked for a couple of years. The Explore function has undergone many evolutions and small changes. This is one of the most important ones, however, and we wanted to give it the attention it deserves. Komoot has been in development for years, but let's just say that the project in question has only been developed in the last few months.
How are the maps updated?
Every week servers are updated. We rely on OpenStreetMapAnyone can access it by registering and reporting changes and changes to the territories or new tracks. It's a bit like Wikipedia, for example.
How important is the community to Komoot?
This revamped Explore feature is expanding your horizons even further. Our feature Tour Planner It's always been a point of reference, and we've always placed a lot of emphasis on it. But not everyone wants to plan their own trip point by point. With Esplora, we're sure that Komoot community will be increasingly real, vast and will begin to share more and more not only their own interests but also some pedaling together.
