COVID-19 crisis: Google testing new feature in Maps, which could help users know about beds, medical oxygen

Google has announced some updates to its efforts to help with the COVID-19 related relief work in India, including testing a new pilot feature on Maps that could let users know about beds and medical oxygen in select locations such as hospitals and medical oxygen suppliers.

The feature will be tested in select places and rely on crowd-sourcing responses from users. Based on the feedback that the company gets, Google will roll it out to more places.

If someone is at a particular hospital or at an oxygen supplier’s place, Google Maps could show them a prompt asking them some questions about the availability of beds or medical oxygen, depending on the place.