Google Gemini adds interactive 3D models and simulations in answers

In short: Google says Gemini can now answer some questions with interactive 3D models and simulations you can control in real time.

What happened

Google rolled out an upgrade to its Gemini chatbot that lets it generate interactive 3D models and simulations as part of an answer. A simulation is a small, on-screen experiment that shows how something might behave, like a digital model you can play with.

Instead of only reading text, you may now get a 3D object you can rotate, zoom in on, and change using sliders and buttons. Think of it like a science demo you can pause and adjust, rather than a static picture.

The Verge tested the feature by asking Gemini to simulate the Moon orbiting the Earth. Gemini produced a 3D model with controls to change the orbit speed, hide or show the line of the orbit path, and pause the motion.

Google says all Gemini app users can access the feature by choosing the “Pro” model in the prompt bar. After asking for something to visualize, users can tap a button labeled “Show me the visualization” under Gemini’s response.

Why it matters

For regular users, this can make it easier to understand topics that are hard to picture from text alone, especially in math and science. Being able to move a model around and change a value, like turning a knob, can help you see cause and effect more clearly. It also shows that major chatbots are competing to add more visual, interactive ways to explain things, not just written answers.

Source: The Verge AI