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

Google added over the past year numerous AI-powered features to maps to improve discovery and enable users to ask questions about places. Now, the company is upgrading the app with Gemini to allow users to ask the AI ​​robot questions while driving, improve navigation, and perform more tasks.

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

You can ask multiple questions in the conversation as well: For example, “Is there a budget-friendly restaurant that offers vegan options along my route, or a restaurant a few miles away? … What’s parking like there?”

Drivers can also report traffic accidents using Gemini, and Maps will proactively notify users of disruptions on the road ahead.

Google is also adding a new feature to Maps that combines Gemini and Street View data to improve navigation instructions. So instead of asking you to turn right after, say, 500 feet, Maps will now flag a nearby landmark, like gas stations, restaurants, or famous buildings, and highlight them before you have to turn.

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

Maps also has the ability to answer questions about your surroundings by working with Google Lens. So you can point your camera at places of interest, like restaurants and landmarks, and ask questions like, “What is this place and why is it popular?”

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