Google Maps adds AI features to help with navigation and exploration

Using Gemini, Maps will be able to recommend places, and assist drivers in unfamiliar areas

Google Maps is the most popular navigation app, with over 10 billion downloads from the Google Play Store. A MarketWatch study found that 70% of people in the U.S. use Google Maps for navigation, compared to 27% for Waze and 25% for Apple Maps. It also has  has an average of 1.8 billion monthly users.

Now the app is getting a major update in the form of artificial intelligence, with new features powered by Gemini. On Thursday, Google announced updates to allow Google Maps users use AI to help them find new places to visit and answer questions about different locations.

That means they can ask Maps something along the lines of, “things to do with friends at night” and Gemini, using data about 250 million places around the world and insights from the Maps community, will give them curated ideas, like checking out a speakeasy or live music, as examples. It will also summarize user reviews of different places, and answer questions, like whether it has outdoor seating or a quiet atmosphere.

These features start rolling out in the U.S. on Android and iOS this week, and the company is already planning to bring them to Search as well.

The company also unveiled new navigation features, making it simpler for users to explore along their route before hitting the road: if they tap “add stops” they will see top landmarks, attractions, scenic spots and dining options. 

In addition, it will also help users anticipate unfamiliar areas with multiple lanes, forks and exits by show them lanes, crosswalks and road signs clearly on the map, while also showing them exactly which lane they should be in to prevent the need for last-second merges, and the ability to see and report weather disruptions along the route, including flooded, unplowed and low-visibility roads.

As for when when the user arrives, in addition to lighting up their building and entrance, Google Maps will also display nearby parking lots and will remind them to save their parking so they don’t forget where their care is, as well as walking directions from the car to the entrance.

The ability to explore along your route, see and report weather disruptions and our updated arrival guidance start rolling out globally on Android and iOS this week. Enhanced navigation starts rolling out next month on Android and iOS in over 30 metro areas — with plans to expand to more places over time.

Finally, Google also revealed that its Immersive View feature, which shows what stadiums, parks and routes look like using AI, imagery, and computer vision is expanding to 150 cities globally, including Brussels, Kyoto and Frankfurt.

"For nearly 20 years, Google Maps has helped people understand and navigate the world — and today, we’re announcing that more than 2 billion users turn to Maps each month because of our fresh, comprehensive map," the company wrote in its blog post.

"By using AI to analyze billions of images, alongside data from local partners and our community, we’re able to make over 100 million updates to the map every single day. So whether you’re traveling the world or across town, you’re seeing the most up-to-date information possible."

(Image source: blog.google)