Google-maps – Is it possible to make a dynamic route in Google Maps

google mapsgps

I am using a program that every 4 minutes sends me (via email) a GPS position in a format of a link to Google Maps, like so:

Move to N10.0700+E50.8625
Move to N10.0700+E50.8925
Move to N10.0700+E50.9225

I need to know two things:

Is it possible to make a script that takes the positions and shows them on Google Maps directly (so I don't have to enter the mail and press the link every time)?
Can I make a route that shows me every point I have been? (Lets say I got 10 mails, so I have 10 points—can it been shown as a route from point 1 to 10 and show me all the points in the way?)

Best Answer

You can create a custom map in Google Maps to accomplish this. You have the option of plotting points or using polygons to display map information.
How to create a custom Google map
Example: Custom Google Map using polygons

Updated response: Perhaps a feed from Google Docs would better suit your needs.
Creating dynamic client-side maps with Google Spreadsheets
Spreadsheet Wizard for map creation

See also: Real Time GPS Tracking html/js (Stackoverflow 2010)
Real time GPS Tracker on JUST HTML / JS and Google Maps to be run on a handphone? Is it possible?

Related Solutions

Google Maps – Load Multiple KMZ Files or geoRSS Feeds

I think you should be able to do this using a KML file which contains Network Links to your KMZ files.

The nice thing about the Network Links is that it doesn't have to be KMZ files it can be a script or feed that outputs a KMZ/KML file. There is a demo of how to do this here under the section Generating a Random Placemark

Basically you create a KML file in the following format:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<kml xmlns="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2">
  <Folder>
    <name>Network Links full of awesome</name>
    <visibility>0</visibility>
    <open>0</open>
    <description>Network link example to show how to overlay several KMZ files on one map</description>
    <NetworkLink>
      <name>Earthquakes Mag 7</name>
      <visibility>0</visibility>
      <open>0</open>
      <description>Earthquakes Mag 7</description>
      <refreshVisibility>0</refreshVisibility>
      <flyToView>0</flyToView>
      <Link>
        <href>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/epic/kml/2012_Earthquakes_Mag7.kmz</href>
      </Link>
    </NetworkLink>
        <NetworkLink>
      <name>Earthquakes Mag 6</name>
      <visibility>0</visibility>
      <open>0</open>
      <description>Earthquakes Mag 6</description>
      <refreshVisibility>0</refreshVisibility>
      <flyToView>0</flyToView>
      <Link>
        <href>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/epic/kml/2012_Earthquakes_Mag6.kmz</href>
      </Link>
    </NetworkLink>
        <NetworkLink>
      <name>Earthquakes Mag 5</name>
      <visibility>0</visibility>
      <open>0</open>
      <description>Earthquakes Mag 5</description>
      <refreshVisibility>0</refreshVisibility>
      <flyToView>0</flyToView>
      <Link>
        <href>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/epic/kml/2012_Earthquakes_Mag5.kmz</href>
      </Link>
    </NetworkLink>
        <NetworkLink>
      <name>Earthquakes Mag 4</name>
      <visibility>0</visibility>
      <open>0</open>
      <description>Earthquakes Mag 4</description>
      <refreshVisibility>0</refreshVisibility>
      <flyToView>0</flyToView>
      <Link>
        <href>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/epic/kml/2012_Earthquakes_Mag4.kmz</href>
      </Link>
    </NetworkLink>
        <NetworkLink>
      <name>Earthquakes Mag 3</name>
      <visibility>0</visibility>
      <open>0</open>
      <description>Earthquakes Mag 3</description>
      <refreshVisibility>0</refreshVisibility>
      <flyToView>0</flyToView>
      <Link>
        <href>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/epic/kml/2012_Earthquakes_Mag3.kmz</href>
      </Link>
    </NetworkLink>
        <NetworkLink>
      <name>Earthquakes Mag 2</name>
      <visibility>0</visibility>
      <open>0</open>
      <description>Earthquakes Mag 2</description>
      <refreshVisibility>0</refreshVisibility>
      <flyToView>0</flyToView>
      <Link>
        <href>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/epic/kml/2012_Earthquakes_Mag2.kmz</href>
      </Link>
    </NetworkLink>
        <NetworkLink>
      <name>Earthquakes Mag 1</name>
      <visibility>0</visibility>
      <open>0</open>
      <description>Earthquakes Mag 1</description>
      <refreshVisibility>0</refreshVisibility>
      <flyToView>0</flyToView>
      <Link>
        <href>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/epic/kml/2012_Earthquakes_Mag1.kmz</href>
      </Link>
    </NetworkLink>
  </Folder>
</kml>

Then in Google Maps, search using the full URL pointing to your KML file and you get something like this:

Google Maps Multiple Overlays

This displays 7 different KMZ files on the same map but using only one URL - the KML file with all the links in.

Google Maps – Transfer Route from Desktop to Phone

This is now baked in to the latest version of Google Maps. Just look up an address, then click the "send to device" link and choose your Android device. Then open the notification on your phone.

screen shot

This has been around for a little while for iOS.

(via Lifehacker)

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Google Maps – Load Multiple KMZ Files or geoRSS Feeds

Google Maps – Transfer Route from Desktop to Phone

Related Topic