Yandex Maps Improves Pedestrian Navigation
We often use navigation apps to get somewhere as quickly as possible. Yandex Maps now gives pedestrians a chance to choose routes based not only on time and distance, but also on personal preferences.
When building a route, the AI takes into account the presence of parks, elevation changes, building density, and even street noise levels.
A Right Turn Gets You There Faster
Instead of offering a single route, the service now provides several options: “Scenic Walk,” “Lively,” “Easier,” and “Optimal.” For users with limited mobility, choices include “With Ramps,” “Fewer Stairs,” and even “No Stairs.” That means a parent pushing a stroller can avoid busy avenues or stairways, while a tourist can prioritize seeing as many landmarks as possible instead of saving five minutes.
Maps have evolved beyond the simple Point A-to-Point B model into a full-fledged urban companion. To generate a “living” route, the neural network analyzes dynamic and often complex data: where an area is visually appealing, where it remains safe after dark, and where a climb may be too steep. Digital cartography is entering a new stage of development and continues to gain popularity. Every month, 95 million people use Yandex Maps. In Russia, the service has surpassed both Google Maps and 2GIS in audience size.
Keeping Pace With the Times
In 2022, Yandex launched city-themed guides covering destinations across Russia. These AI-generated cards contain sections dedicated to the most visited attractions, cultural and entertainment venues, dining options, and other points of interest. In 2024, the company added more than 300 three-dimensional landmark models to its maps. They allow travelers to explore notable locations in advance and plan trips more effectively. Last year, accessibility information covering 40,000 ramps in major cities was added for users with limited mobility. Competitor 2GIS has also improved pedestrian convenience by allowing users to exclude stairways from walking routes.
Russian mapping services are keeping pace with global trends and, in some respects, moving ahead of them. In the United Kingdom, volunteers behind the Slow Ways project created 10,000 routes spanning more than 120,000 kilometers while accounting for accessibility needs of older adults and parents with strollers. Google, meanwhile, has been collecting accessibility data for 15 million locations worldwide since 2020. Yandex’s geoservice combines all of these dimensions - terrain, safety, and aesthetics - within a single system.
The new feature also contributes to urban development. Parks, public gardens, and pedestrian zones receive additional foot traffic. Maps begin to function as an invisible tour guide, encouraging people to engage with public spaces. That can boost the tourism appeal of cities while making urban environments more accessible for everyone, from retirees to athletes.
Where Is the Smart Map Headed Next?
During 2025, Yandex Maps generated more than 6.5 billion routes with a combined length of 37 billion kilometers. Since last year, personalized routing has also been available for drivers. Maps and Navigator analyze travel history and suggest alternative routes, including the fastest, simplest, or most familiar options. New drivers can choose less demanding routes, while experienced motorists can comfortably reach their destination using roads they already know.
Pedestrians, for their part, walked more than 420 million kilometers using Yandex Maps in 2025. With the introduction of the new feature, that figure will likely be even higher this year. Future route planning could take into account time of day, weather conditions, physical fitness, or even whether someone is carrying heavy bags. Specialized routes focused on food, architecture, or family activities may also emerge. The navigator will no longer answer only the question, “How do I get there fastest?” Instead, it will answer, “What is the best way to get there?”
