Copilot’s covered: ,

I wanted help planning an upcoming trip to meet up with friends for the day, previously we had done this by car but I wanted to see if I could have a more relaxed journey going by train so I asking Copilot in Edge to help me find a half way point, the catch was that I wanted half way based on the rail network, not distance or car travel time…

Takeaway:

  • Searching for advanced UK rail information isn’t ready yet, over time if plug-ins for train services get added this capability could be helpful.
  • Being more specific about my prompts will help get to the answer I’m after quicker.
  • After deciding Copilot couldn’t get the answer I needed itself, it was helpful finding me information I needed to complete the task (train route map).

Background

Copilot is a catch all name for Microsoft’s implementation of Large Language Model (LLM) AI implementations. It is currently based around the Open-AI GPT engines and other associated technologies.

Generative AI is currently a very hot topic and most companies are interested to see how this burgeoning technology can help improve their business processes. An issue we may find with this type of AI is that you have to be careful about what and how you ask it for information to ensure that you get back both accurate, and comprehensive answers. In this style of post I am recording interactions that I’ve had with Copilot to chart and document what types of interactions are successful and which may not be.

Find more in this series here:

Interaction Summary

Technology: Copilot Pro in Windows Edge bar

Data source: Internet

Date: Feb 24

Prompts:

  • Outline scenario, location and time for both parties, request for type of answer I wanted
  • More specific request about scenario
  • Request for related info so I can find the answer myself

Scenario: I was looking to meet some friends, we were considering driving but wanted to check if the train might work to meet half way. Tried asking Copilot to help determine where the half way point might be based on travel time not geographical distance.

Usages: Searching internet data, trying some extrapolation, Finding relevant

Outcome: 6/10

The first response didn’t focus on the travel time aspect, it had suggested somewhere to actually meet which could have been helpful but not what I wanted.

On a clarification it suggested some websites to help find the half way location, but these were more orientated for geographical distance or road travel.

After deciding I would complete the task myself it found me the information I needed saving me time searching.

Interaction Record

You
I want to meet some friends for the day. They can be at Ruby train station for about 9am. We can be at Durham station for about 8.15. where is a good place to try and meet?
Copilot

A good meeting point between Ruby Train Station and Durham Station could be somewhere central to both locations. You might consider a venue that’s easily accessible by public transport and offers a comfortable environment for waiting and catching up.

One option could be The Waiting Room at Durham Railway Station1, which is convenient and has opening hours that fit your schedule. Alternatively, you could use a service like Whatshalfway.com to find a suitable venue that’s halfway between both stations2. This website allows you to enter both addresses and select the type of place you’re looking for, making it easier to plan your meet-up.

Remember to check the opening times and availability of the venues before making final arrangements. Enjoy your day out with friends!

You
Can you find a train station that is half way (in travel time) between us?
Copilot

To find a train station that is approximately halfway in travel time between Ruby Train Station and Durham Station, you can use services like Whatshalfway.com1 or MeetWays2. These websites allow you to enter both locations and will calculate the midpoint based on travel time or distance, which can be very helpful for planning meet-ups.

If you’re looking for a direct answer, I can provide you with the average travel time between Rugby and Durham. The journey typically takes around 5 hours and 24 minutes, with the fastest services taking about 3 hours and 18 minutes3. Based on this information, a station that falls roughly at the halfway mark in terms of travel time would be ideal. However, for the most accurate results, I recommend using the aforementioned services to determine the exact midpoint station for your specific travel date and time.

You
Are there any good train maps of the UK showing who runs what routes?
Copilot

Yes, there are several resources where you can find detailed train maps of the UK that show the routes and the operators. Here are a couple of options:

These maps are regularly updated and can be very helpful for planning your travels across the UK.