Microsoft has introduced Clearflow, a web-based tool for avoiding traffic jams. Developed over the past 5 years, the online service uses machine-learning to forecast how jam-ups on freeways spill over onto city streets and less-traveled thoroughfares. Freely available for 72 US cities at Live.com, the service will provide drivers with alternate driving directions, re-routing around modeled traffic congestion based on 4 years of data and live-traffic updates. At the same time, Clearflow is “intelligent” enough to occasionally keep you on a busy freeway if the program’s algorithm decides it would be a faster trip to your destination if you bear with the traffic.
Clearflow is an obvious bid by Microsoft to gain some ground on Google, the search engine company that currently dominates online traffic and navigation services, but analysts say Microsoft’s new platform could be a little complicated for the average person. And as everyone who’s ever had trouble figuring out their PND or automotive GPS navigator knows, usability is key to a successful product.
Via CNETÂ
