If you don't know where you are going, may be Google can tell you

Google at the gas pump translates to happy motorists, retailers
Jacqui Cheng


Many people who are even moderately Internet-savvy rely heavily upon Google Maps when hitting the road these days. The quick, easy-to-use UI and clear, (almost) accurate driving directions can be a real blessing. But not everyone remembers to print out driving directions before leaving the house—or even worse, they run into a roadblock or two while on the road and are forced to change plans. Suddenly, you're kicked back to the good old days of stopping at gas stations to ask for directions from a guy named Bob wearing a John Deere cap, mumbling under his breath something about city folk while retrieving a painfully generalized, laminated map from behind the counter. Er, wait—maybe that's just me...

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A new Google initiative could make those gas station trips more fruitful, though, by putting Google Maps right at the pump. The Internet-connected pumps, made by Gilbarco Veeder-Root Inc., will come fitted with a color screen and allow travelers to find local landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and more. Then—and this is the best part—drivers will be able to print out directions to their selected destinations using the receipt printer.

Gilbarco spokesperson Lucy Sackett told the Associated Press that the company eventually hopes to let customers input a specific address (instead of predetermined locations) to get directions. She also said that she thinks it'll help participating gas stations gain customer loyalty—after all, who wouldn't go to a gas station that was Google Maps-enabled over the competition? The service will be available at about 3,500 pumps beginning in early December and will continue to expand based on demand.

The move is all part of Google's strategy to get its applications into as many real world devices as possible. This began with the proliferation of mobile versions of Google's services, but making customized maps available (complete with printing capabilities) in places where people often stop while traveling seems obvious. People like me who get lost easily—even with the help of traditional maps—will not only be thrilled, as will those who are too embarrassed to admit being lost in the first place.

It's also easy to see how the gas pump maps could earn more money in the future. While Gilbarco claims that the new service won't contain advertisements to its captive audience, it will be able to offer coupons. These could potentially be for products offered at the gas station itself, but also for participating hotels and restaurants that the customer can conveniently find via Google Maps.