Polestar has been honoured with the prestigious AUTOBEST SMARTBEST 2026 for its integration of Google Maps’ live lane guidance feature into the driver display of the Polestar 4. The recognition comes from the AUTOBEST jury, an independent panel of automotive journalists representing 32 European countries.
The jury praised the innovation, stating that the award acknowledges “a significant step forward in intelligent onboard navigation and driver assistance technology.”
Accepting the award at a ceremony in Vienna on March 19, CEO Michael Lohscheller highlighted the achievement as a testament to the company’s software-first approach and its long-standing 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, the feature enhances navigation by helping drivers stay in the correct lane, particularly in complex highway scenarios and dense traffic conditions.
The system combines Google Maps’ advanced navigation capabilities with AI-powered insights to deliver real-time visual and audio cues. A newly designed 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 analyses road elements such as lane markings and traffic signs using Google’s AI technology. This enables timely prompts for lane changes, improving both convenience and driving safety.
The feature is displayed on the Polestar 4’s 10.2-inch driver screen, offering 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 begin rolling out in 2026 for Polestar 4 models in the United States and Sweden, with plans to expand to additional markets and road types in the future.
