Google Maps Gets “Biggest Upgrade Since Launch” With Gemini AI, Driving UI Context, Real-Time Updates

Google has announced a massive update to Google Maps, with a Gemini AI-powered personalised voice chat experience, major UI updates, and clearer navigation guides for drivers with more detail.

Ask Maps

Users in India and the USA will be the first to get the new Ask Maps capability, on iOS and Android devices. With this, Google is bringing conversational AI to Google Maps. Users will be able to use natural language prompts to get detailed information about places around them. The company cites examples including “My phone is dying — where can I charge it without having to wait in a long line for coffee?” and “Is there a public tennis court with lights on that I can play at tonight?” which include multiple conditions and require contextual knowledge to answer. Users can also ask Gemini to make reservations, share directions with friends, and perform other actions.

Ask Maps responses use Gemini’s knowledge of each individual user including their search history and bookmarked places, to personalise responses. For example, restaurant recommendations based on their dietary needs and preferences. Moreover, Ask Maps can surface information submitted by Google Maps contributors, including local knowledge, reviews, and recommendations. It can also create detailed itineraries and show information that’s good to know before a user sets out on a trip. A customised map view will help visualise options, with directions and estimated arrival times.

Immersive Navigation

The other major new feature is Immersive Navigation, which Google calls “the biggest transformation of the navigation experience in over a decade”.

The driving UI in Maps is getting a complete overhaul, with new visual elements and more intuitive route display. The company says this will help drivers stay focused on the road while still providing rich information including real-time updates and natural language directions.

Many users in the US will see this refresh today on cars running Google software, as well as eligible iOS and Android devices, including when used with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It will roll out across regions over the next several months.

Google is expanding the use of 3D views in maps, with more detail in landmarks, buildings, overpasses, and terrain. Depending on context and need, Gemini AI can surface important road markings such as lanes, pedestrian crossings, traffic signals, medians, and stop signs, from Google Street View imagery as well as aerial photography, which is updated frequently.

Users will see a broader view of their route on their device or car’s screen, thanks to smart zooms. Map details such as buildings can be made transparent to help see upcoming turns, lane changes, and other useful information. 

Voice navigation instructions will use friendlier, more natural language prompts, and visual cues have also been improved to more clearly highlight upcoming instructions. Users can also check out Street View imagery of their destinations before setting out, and Google will add suggestions for parking locations on approach.

In addition, users will see more context about alternative route suggestions, with Google Maps presenting options based on real-time traffic and incident updates. Users will get options to prefer longer routes that avoid toll charges or heavy traffic.