Google Maps is heading in a new direction with artificial intelligence taking the passenger seat. Fueled by Google's Gemini AI technology, the world's most popular navigation app will become a more conversational companion as part of a redesign announced Wednesday.
The hands-free experience is designed to transform Google Maps into something akin to an insightful passenger—one capable of directing a driver to a destination while also providing nearby recommendations on places to eat, shop, or sightsee, when asked for advice.
Gemini AI integration in Google Maps
According to a Google blog post, the Gemini AI integration in Google Maps will simplify tasks like finding places along your route, checking for available EV chargers, or, on Android devices, sharing your Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) with friends.
The AI features are also intended to make Google Maps more precise by calling out landmarks to denote where to make a turn, rather than relying solely on distance notifications.
Now with Gemini, in addition to traffic lights and stop signs, Google Maps will show easily identifiable landmarks along the route, such as gas stations, restaurants, and famous buildings. Users will hear clear directions like "turn right after the Thai Siam Restaurant," and see it highlighted on the map as they approach.
Furthermore, Google Maps can give users a heads-up even if they are not actively navigating. It will proactively notify users of disruptions on the road ahead—such as an unexpected closure or a heavy traffic jam.
AI integration comes with safeguards
AI chatbots, like Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT, have sometimes generated inaccurate information—known as “hallucinations” in tech speak—but Google is promising that built-in safeguards will prevent Maps from accidentally sending drivers down the wrong road.
All the information Gemini draws upon will be culled from the roughly 250 million places stored in Google Maps' database, which is built on reviews accumulated during the past 20 years.
Google Maps' new AI capabilities will be rolling out to both Apple's iPhone and Android mobile devices in the US and the company is yet to announce India availability.
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