Google Maps is embarking on a new era of innovation with the integration of Gemini, Google’s advanced generative AI model. This week, the company announced a series of updates that will empower Google Maps users in the U.S. to leverage AI for discovering new places and receiving detailed answers about various locations.
Enhanced Navigation and Location Discovery
One of the standout updates is the enhanced navigation feature, which provides motorists with detailed lane guidance, highlighting specific lanes, crosswalks, and road signs to ensure a smoother driving experience. By incorporating Gemini into Google Maps, Google aims to enhance its navigation app’s competitive edge against Apple Maps and emerging navigation startups.
AI-Powered Google Maps
Google Maps will now offer users personalized recommendations for places to visit and activities to do, simply by asking the service. For example, users can ask for “things to do with friends at night,” and Gemini will provide a curated list of options such as speakeasies or live music venues. Users can also access quick summaries of reviews and ask specific follow-up questions, like whether a place has outdoor seating. These new capabilities are initially rolling out in the U.S. for both Android and iOS users, with plans to extend similar features to Google Search, including AI-powered review summaries.
Improved User Experience
To make driving in unfamiliar areas easier, Google Maps will now clearly display lanes, crosswalks, and road signs on the map. The app will also indicate which lane to use for smoother navigation through multiple lanes, forks, and exits. Additionally, Google Maps will show top landmarks, attractions, scenic spots, and dining options along the user’s route.
Upon reaching the destination, the app will guide users to nearby parking lots and remind them to save their parking location. Walking directions from the car to the destination’s entrance, with the option to use Street View or AR walking navigation, further enhance the user experience.
Weather and Road Conditions Reporting
Google Maps will now allow users to see and report weather-related road disruptions, such as flooding, unplowed roads, and low-visibility areas. This feature aims to provide real-time updates and improve road safety.
Expansion of Immersive View
Google Maps’ Immersive View feature, which creates 3D models of destinations, is expanding to 150 cities worldwide, including new locations like Brussels, Kyoto, and Frankfurt. This expansion aims to offer users a more immersive and detailed exploration experience.
Integration with Waze
In addition to the updates on Google Maps, Google announced that Gemini will be integrated into Waze, another popular navigation app. The company is testing a new feature that will enable users to report traffic incidents using voice commands, making the reporting process more intuitive and efficient.