Trails can have many features that will pique the curiosity of a traveler. From poison ivy to unique fauna, there are many things to look out for. An app can help you identify them.
Outdoor hiking app AllTrails Recently, Google released a feature called Outdoor Lens that uses artificial intelligence to identify the surroundings of a hiker. The feature, launched last month, has a database with more than 50 000 plants and insects. The lens is able to identify different fungi at various locations.
Outdoor Lens is Exclusive to AllTrails paid-membership tier, called PeakThe cost of the subscription is $79.99 per annum.
In a press release, a spokesperson from AllTrails stated that “Users are able to log their discoveries by adding photos, timestamps and locations, making every hike an interactive adventure.” Travel + Leisure.
AllTrails
Hikers can use this new feature by taking a picture within the AllTrails App. After the photo is taken, the message “leaving through data” appears on the screen. After approximately 10 seconds, you will see the result.
T+L evaluated the feature. The service correctly identified a dracaena dracaenatrifasciata snake plant. App also provides a probability rating for the picture, in our test case it was 97%.
The images are then stored in a logbook—a virtual scrapbook of sorts—along with information like altitude and location. The photo will be stored safely on the phone of a hiker in a remote or off-the grid location.
It’s a fun feature to use, and it can also help identify potentially toxic or harmful plants. Hikers could use Outdoor Lens to capture possible interactions with poison oak and poison ivy. The logbook can be useful for recording any suspicious activity that needs to be monitored.
AllTrails stated that the feature is safe and not intended for foraging.
The Peak subscription from the company includes a “heatmap”, which helps outdoor enthusiasts to avoid crowds, as well as the ability to customize their routes and plan on trail conditions.
It’s always important to be safe when hiking. invest in emergency tools Just in case Staying properly hydrated It is important to drink water. Travelers should consume a minimum of a liter per hour and a quart before stepping onto a trail.
