In an exciting development for outdoor lovers, a new premium membership has been launched that promises to enhance the hiking and biking experience significantly. This innovative membership, priced at $80 per year, introduces a suite of advanced features powered by artificial intelligence, designed to help users navigate trails more effectively and enjoy nature to the fullest.
Enhanced Features for Outdoor Adventures
The new membership option, set to roll out in the coming weeks, will be available to select users initially and will reach a global audience by June. This premium offering includes AI-driven tools that allow users to create personalized routes, receive real-time updates on trail conditions, and access heatmaps indicating trail traffic. Additionally, a unique feature enables users to identify various trees and plants simply by using their smartphone cameras.
AI-Powered Custom Route Creation
One of the standout features of this new membership is the AI-powered route creation tool. Users can either start from scratch or modify existing trails to suit their preferences. The smart-routing functionality utilizes AI to adjust trails, making them shorter, less steep, or even more scenic, catering to the diverse needs of outdoor enthusiasts.
Real-Time Trail Condition Updates
Another significant addition is the trail condition forecasting feature, which provides users with essential information such as temperature, precipitation, and snow depth. This effectively integrates a weather app into the outdoor navigation experience, ensuring that users are well-informed before embarking on their adventures. Alerts for air quality and mosquito activity will also be included, with plans for future updates to cover terrain conditions like pavement or gravel.
Heatmap Functionality for Trail Traffic
The heatmap feature is particularly beneficial for those who wish to avoid crowded trails or prefer to hike in groups for safety. By analyzing data from millions of users, the app can estimate trail traffic, similar to how popular navigation apps predict busy times for various locations.
Outdoor Lens for Nature Identification
This summer, members will also gain access to an innovative Outdoor Lens feature, allowing them to instantly identify trees, plants, or flowers and log their findings within the app. The company plans to expand this feature over time, enhancing the educational aspect of outdoor exploration.
Updates for All Membership Tiers
In addition to the new premium membership, updates are being rolled out for existing Base and Plus memberships. The Base membership remains free, offering essential trail maps and community reviews, while the Plus membership includes offline access and live trail activity sharing. All tiers will benefit from a new feature called Points of Interest, which adds over 500,000 mapped viewpoints and landmarks to the app, enriching the user experience.
With over 80 million registered users, this new membership and the accompanying updates are set to revolutionize the way outdoor enthusiasts engage with nature, making every adventure more enjoyable and informed.