Google Maps adds Gemini AI for voice commands and smarter directions

In short: Google Maps is adding Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, to make it easier to ask for places and get more helpful directions by voice.

What happened

Google has started rolling out new Google Maps features powered by Gemini AI. The goal is to let people talk to Maps more naturally, kind of like asking a friend for help.

One example is voice navigation. You can say things like “Take me to the tacos,” and Maps will guide you to nearby taco spots without typing. You can also ask more specific questions, like finding a budget-friendly place, checking for EV chargers (chargers for electric cars), sharing your ETA (your expected arrival time), or adding a stop to a route.

Google is also changing how some turn-by-turn instructions sound. Instead of “turn right in 500 feet,” Maps can use landmarks you can actually see, like “turn right after the Thai Siam Restaurant.” This uses Street View (Google’s street-level photos) and information from millions of places.

Another update is proactive traffic alerts. On Android in the U.S., Maps can warn you about closures or traffic jams even if you are not currently navigating.

Google says these features are rolling out mainly on Android and iOS in the U.S., with some parts expanding to India. Some features are labeled experimental and may use your Maps activity, like your past searches, to personalize suggestions.

Why it matters

For regular drivers, these updates could mean less typing while on the go and clearer directions that match what you see outside your windshield. It also raises a basic tradeoff to keep in mind, more convenience in exchange for letting Maps use more of your activity to tailor results.

Source: The Verge AI