Google Maps bakes in Gemini to improve navigation and hands-free use

Over the past year, Google has added multiple AI features to Maps to improve discovery and allow users to ask questions about places. Now the company is upgrading the app with Gemini, so users can ask the AI ​​bot questions while driving, improve navigation and perform more tasks.

While driving, users can now ask Gemini to answer questions about points of interest on their route, return results on other topics (such as sports or news), and even perform tasks such as adding events to their calendar.

You can also ask multiple questions during a conversation: for example, “Is there a budget-friendly restaurant with vegan options along my route, something within a few miles? … What’s parking like there?”

Drivers can even report traffic incidents with Gemini, and Maps will proactively notify users of disruptions on the route ahead.

Google is also adding a new feature to Maps that combines Gemini with Street View data to improve navigation instructions. So instead of telling you to turn right after, say, 150 meters, Maps now lists a nearby landmark, such as gas stations, restaurants or famous buildings, and highlights it before you have to make the turn.

The company said Gemini compares information about 250 million places with Street View images to identify important and visible landmarks for navigation.

Maps will also have the ability to answer questions about your surroundings by working with Google Lens. So you can point the camera at interesting places, such as restaurants and monuments, and ask questions like, “What is this place and why is it popular?”

Google said the new Gemini navigation features will roll out to iOS and Android devices in the coming weeks, with Android Auto support coming soon. Traffic alerts are rolling out first in the US for Android users; Landmark navigation is currently only available in the US on both iOS and Android; and Lens with Gemini will be operational in the US later this month.