We often complain that the rampant use of sat-nav and Google Maps draws your focus in too tightly. When you used to plan routes on proper paper maps (OK boomer...), you could see instantly where the interesting places were. With a tiny map on a screen, it's much less easy to do that.
Not just the shortest distance
Thanks, then, to Porsche and its updated ROADS by Porsche app, which with a few clicks, can now have you driving down some much more interesting routes than simply the shortest distance between two points.
Anywhere in the world
The app was originally launched in 2019, and Porsche reckons it now has 180,000 users. For 2023, it's been completely revised. "The centrepiece of the new ROADS app is the generator for scenic routes", says Robert Ader, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Porsche AG. "It allows driving fans to find their own individual dream route with just a few clicks. AI works out a suitable route based on various parameters such as the curves of the road, the topography, landscape features, or exciting points of interest. From their starting point, the user can plan a circuit route or navigate to a specific destination - no matter where in the world they are."
Suit your mood
When choosing a route on the app, you can now decide between a simple quickest route, or you can set up one that suits your mood - 'curvy, balanced or particularly dynamic' as Porsche puts it. The app has its own built-in navigation, which can be put up on your car's screen via Apple CarPlay and shared with other ROADS users if you like.
You can set your route up to include specific scenic spots or places of interest, or if you don't know the area, the app can suggest places. There will also be 'Routes Of The Week', which Porsche says will take you to new and interesting destinations, just for the heck of it all.
The best part? You don't have to own a Porsche to get the ROADS app, and it's free to download. Just don't expect your ten-year-old Fiesta to enjoy the suggested routes QUITE as much as a new Cayman GTS might.