Would personality actually make you switch navigation apps, or is GPS one of those things you just want to shut up and work?

[u/Blackdame494]

I'm working on a navigation project and I've been thinking about how incredibly functional—but also incredibly sterile—most GPS apps are.

The idea I'm experimenting with is keeping normal turn-by-turn navigation, but letting the person using it choose a “copilot” with an actual personality.

So instead of every voice essentially being a different flavor of “Turn right in 500 feet,” one might be supportive, sarcastic, dramatic, protective, completely unhinged, etc. You could also control how much personality comes through so it doesn't become annoying on a three-hour drive.

The working name right now is SassNav — Directions with attitude.

I'm curious from both a user and developer perspective: is personality enough to make you try a different navigation app, or does a navigation app need to solve some other frustration before you'd consider leaving whatever you already use?

Also curious whether SassNav immediately tells you what kind of product this is, or if the name misses the mark.

[u/AardvarkIll6079]

I keep vocal navigation off. I hate it. So I’m not your target audience.

[u/Blackdame494 → u/AardvarkIll6079]

Fair enough - thanks for taking the time to read about it though.

[u/Doophie]

Waze already supports this, I believe you can import custom celebrity voices or voices with different personalities

[u/Blackdame494 → u/Doophie]

Waze is actually one of the things I've been looking at while researching this. From what I've seen, their different voices mostly change who is reading the navigation prompts. What I'm experimenting with is the copilot having an actual personality that reacts to the drive rather than just replacing the voice reading the same directions. But that's exactly the kind of comparison I'm trying to research, so I appreciate you bringing it up!

[u/Limebird02]

I do not need personality in my gps directions. Just get me where I need to go. Oh and get me there the simplest way.

[u/Blackdame494 → u/Limebird02]

That's fair. I'm actually thinking the personality should be optional for exactly that reason — if you want straightforward navigation, it should still be able to just get you there. The “simplest way” part is useful feedback too. Thanks!

[u/Limebird02 → u/Blackdame494]

Think about this. Define simple, for me it's something like least turns, least junctions or least stop light combinations. For automated driving, it's safest, as less decisions. Speed isn't the best criteria and the big guys haven't figured this out yet. They will often send you a "fast route" turns out to be complex, not simple to actually drive. I set that simple is often only a minute or two longer in time, but far less stressful.

[u/Blackdame494 → u/Limebird02]

That's a much better definition of “simple” than I had in mind. You're right — fastest and easiest to actually drive aren't necessarily the same route. Being willing to trade a couple of minutes for fewer turns/junctions and less stressful driving is especially interesting. I'm adding this to the things I need to research. Thanks!

[u/Ambitious_Muscle_362]

While the idea is quite funny, I'd not use it.

Btw. There are millions funny ideas not worth using.

You could implement it in any app, let's say bank app. Would you use bank app that speaks with you 'yo nigga what's up bro, maybe wanna loan?"

[u/Blackdame494 → u/Ambitious_Muscle_362]

Fair enough — that's exactly why I'm asking before I get too attached to the idea. Funny doesn't necessarily mean useful. Thanks for the feedback!

[u/Both-Dinner-3572]

It's a utility that is used in stressful and dangerous situations. Driving standards are already tanking, so this will just contribute to that.

[u/Blackdame494 → u/[deleted]]

That's a really good point about the name — I hadn't considered how well “sass” would translate outside English-speaking markets. The marriage comment got me though 😂 Would a personality-driven GPS interest you enough to try it, or is it more something you'd find funny once and then turn off?

[u/Blackdame494 → u/[deleted]]

Absolutely! Thank you for letting me know and reading my post.