by Lazy Sloth
Find Distance Between Two Points with Google Maps API
import os
import requests
from fastapi import FastAPI, HTTPException
from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
app = FastAPI()
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY = os.environ['GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY']
class DistanceParams(BaseModel):
starting_latitude: float = Field(..., description="Latitude of the starting point")
starting_longitude: float = Field(..., description="Longitude of the starting point")
destination_latitude: float = Field(..., description="Latitude of the destination point")
destination_longitude: float = Field(..., description="Longitude of the destination point")
def get_google_maps_distance(starting_latitude: float, starting_longitude: float, destination_latitude: float, destination_longitude: float) -> str:
endpoint = f"https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/distancematrix/json?origins={starting_latitude},{starting_longitude}&destinations={destination_latitude},{destination_longitude}&key={GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY}"
response = requests.get(endpoint)
distance_info = response.json()
try:
distance = distance_info['rows'][0]['elements'][0]['distance']['text']
return distance
except (IndexError, KeyError) as e:
raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Could not calculate distance with the provided information.") from e
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some business applications for this distance calculation template?
The "Find Distance Between Two Points with Google Maps API" template has numerous business applications. It can be used in logistics for route planning and optimization, in real estate for property proximity analysis, in retail for store location planning, and in travel and tourism for trip planning services. For example, a food delivery service could use this template to calculate distances between restaurants and customers, helping to optimize delivery routes and estimate delivery times.
How can this template be integrated into a larger business system?
This template can be easily integrated into larger business systems as a microservice. For instance, an e-commerce platform could use this "Find Distance Between Two Points" service to calculate shipping costs based on the distance between the warehouse and the customer's address. It can also be incorporated into customer relationship management (CRM) systems to help sales teams plan their travel routes efficiently when visiting clients.
What are the cost implications of using this template in a business context?
The main cost associated with using this template is the usage of the Google Maps API, which is not free for high-volume or commercial use. Businesses need to consider their expected usage and check Google's pricing tiers. However, the template itself can help optimize operations and potentially reduce costs in areas like fuel consumption for delivery services or time management for sales teams. It's important to weigh these potential savings against the API costs when implementing the "Find Distance Between Two Points with Google Maps API" template.
How can I modify the template to return additional information like travel time?
You can modify the get_google_maps_distance
function in the template to return additional information. Here's an example of how to include travel time:
python
def get_google_maps_distance(starting_latitude: float, starting_longitude: float, destination_latitude: float, destination_longitude: float) -> dict:
endpoint = f"https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/distancematrix/json?origins={starting_latitude},{starting_longitude}&destinations={destination_latitude},{destination_longitude}&key={GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY}"
response = requests.get(endpoint)
distance_info = response.json()
try:
distance = distance_info['rows'][0]['elements'][0]['distance']['text']
duration = distance_info['rows'][0]['elements'][0]['duration']['text']
return {"distance": distance, "duration": duration}
except (IndexError, KeyError) as e:
raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Could not calculate distance with the provided information.") from e
Then, update the get_distance
endpoint to return this additional information.
Can this template handle multiple destination points?
Currently, the "Find Distance Between Two Points with Google Maps API" template only handles one starting point and one destination. However, you can modify it to handle multiple destinations. Here's a basic example of how you might change the DistanceParams
class and get_distance
endpoint:
```python class DistanceParams(BaseModel): starting_latitude: float starting_longitude: float destinations: List[Tuple[float, float]]
@app.post("/get_distances") async def get_distances(params: DistanceParams): results = [] for dest_lat, dest_lon in params.destinations: distance = get_google_maps_distance(params.starting_latitude, params.starting_longitude, dest_lat, dest_lon) results.append({"destination": (dest_lat, dest_lon), "distance": distance}) return results ```
This modification allows the API to calculate distances from one starting point to multiple destinations in a single request.
Created: | Last Updated:
Introduction to the Find Distance Between Two Points with Google Maps API Template
Welcome to the Lazy template guide for calculating the distance between two geographical points using the Google Maps API. This template is designed to help you quickly set up a FastAPI application that takes latitude and longitude inputs for two locations and returns the distance between them. This is an ideal solution for builders looking to integrate distance calculations into their applications without delving into the complexities of API integrations and server setups.
Clicking Start with this Template
To begin using this template, simply click on the "Start with this Template" button. This will pre-populate the code in the Lazy Builder interface, so you won't need to copy, paste, or delete any code manually.
Initial setup: Adding Environment Secrets
Before you can use the template, you need to set up an environment secret for the Google Maps API key. Here's how to do it:
- Visit the Google Cloud Platform Console to obtain your API key.
- Once you have your API key, go to the Environment Secrets tab within the Lazy Builder.
- Create a new secret with the key `GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY` and paste your Google Maps API key as the value.
Test: Pressing the Test Button
With the environment secret set, you're ready to test the application. Press the "Test" button to begin the deployment of the app. The Lazy CLI will handle the deployment process, and you won't need to install any libraries or set up your environment.
Entering Input
After pressing the "Test" button, if the application requires any user input, the Lazy App's CLI interface will prompt you to provide it. For this template, you will need to input the latitude and longitude for both the starting point and the destination point when you interact with the API.
Using the App
Once the app is deployed, Lazy will provide you with a dedicated server link to use the API. Additionally, since this template uses FastAPI, you will also receive a link to the API documentation, which will guide you on how to interact with the API endpoints.
To calculate the distance between two points, you will make a POST request to the `/get_distance` endpoint with a JSON payload containing the starting and destination latitude and longitude. Here's a sample request:
{
"starting_latitude": 34.052235,
"starting_longitude": -118.243683,
"destination_latitude": 40.712776,
"destination_longitude": -74.005974
}
And here's what a sample response might look like:
{
"distance": "2,448 miles"
}
Integrating the App
If you wish to integrate this distance calculation feature into another service or frontend, you can use the server link provided by Lazy to make API requests from your application. Ensure that you handle the API responses appropriately and display the distance information to your users as needed.
Remember, this template is designed to simplify the process of integrating Google Maps distance calculations into your application. By following these steps, you can quickly set up and deploy your distance calculation feature using the Lazy platform.
Here are 5 key business benefits for this template:
Template Benefits
-
Logistics Optimization: Shipping companies and delivery services can use this API to calculate accurate distances between pickup and drop-off points, optimizing routes and estimating delivery times.
-
Real Estate Analysis: Real estate firms can integrate this API to provide potential buyers with precise distance information from properties to key locations like schools, shopping centers, or workplaces.
-
Travel Planning: Travel agencies and tourism companies can utilize this API to offer customers detailed information about distances between attractions, helping them plan efficient itineraries.
-
Geomarketing: Businesses can use this API to analyze customer locations and optimize marketing strategies based on geographical data, such as targeting promotions to customers within a certain radius.
-
Fleet Management: Companies with vehicle fleets can integrate this API into their management systems to track and optimize vehicle routes, potentially reducing fuel costs and improving overall efficiency.