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

Google added in the last year more than one AI-powered features on maps to improve discovery and enable users to ask questions about places. Now, the company is upgrading the app with Gemini so users can ask its AI bot questions, improve navigation and do more while driving.

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

You can also ask multiple questions in one conversation: for example, “Is there a budget-friendly restaurant with vegetarian options on my route, something within a few miles? … how’s the parking there?”

Drivers can even report traffic incidents using Gemini, and the map will proactively notify users of obstacles on the route ahead.

Google is adding a new feature to Maps that combines Gemini with Street View data to improve navigation directions. So instead of asking you to turn right after 500 feet, the map will now point out a nearby landmark, such as a gas station, restaurant or famous building, and highlight them before you make the turn.

The company said Gemini cross-references information about 250 million places with Street View imagery to identify important and visible landmarks for navigation.

By working together with Google Lens, Maps is also getting the ability to answer questions about your surroundings So you can point the camera at interesting places like restaurants and landmarks and ask the question, “What is this place and why is it popular?”

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