Navigating to Google Maps passes into another dimension. With Gemini, her artificial intelligence assistant, the Google turns the application into a real “co-driver” on the road, able to understand complex requests, predict traffic problems and even help you organize your daily life, without having to take your hands off the wheel.
Google’s Gemini is now at the heart of the Google Maps navigation experience, everywhere the assistant is available. In practice, her voice commands artificial intelligence they become much more natural. No more searching through menus: just speak as you would to a friend in the passenger seat.
The assistant can locate points of interest on your route, check the availability of chargers for electric vehicles or, on Android devices, automatically share your estimated time of arrival with your loved ones.
Gemini also handles more complex tasks. For example, you can say to him: “Find me a budget restaurant with vegan options on my route, a few kilometers from here… Is there parking there?” and continue with “OK, let’s go there.” You can even tell it, “Add a calendar event for soccer practice tomorrow at 5 p.m.,” and with your consent, Gemini connects to your calendar and automatically creates the event. And all this while keeping your hands on the wheel.
The assistant also becomes a key tool for the security and reliability of traffic information. Just say “I see an accident”, “There is flooding ahead” or “Watch out for the traffic jam” to immediately report an incident on the road. These reports help improve routes for everyone. Gemini navigation rollout starts in the coming weeks on Android and iOS in all countries where Gemini is available, and will then be integrated into Android Auto.
Actual reference points so you don’t miss the right turn
Another major innovation: Google Maps leverages Gemini to make visual and voice directions easier to understand. Instead of the classic ‘turn right in 500m’, the app will now display easily identifiable landmarks such as ‘turn right after Thai Siam Restaurant’, with this point highlighted on the map.
To achieve this, Gemini analyzes Google Maps data for approximately 250 million places and cross-references it with Street View images to select the most visible and useful landmarks from the street view. The aim is to make instructions more specific and reduce driver hesitation. This waypoint-based navigation is already rolling out on Android and iOS in the United States.
Traffic alert before you find yourself in a traffic jam
Google Maps also wants to save you from the “sudden traffic jam” phenomenon. Even if you don’t have navigation turned on, the app can now alert you to major disruptions to your usual route, whether it’s a road closure or a long line of cars.
These proactive traffic alerts are starting to roll out in the United States on Android devices. The idea is to be able to change your route or move your departure time before you get stuck.
Explore spaces with the Gemini-based camera and Lens
Once you reach your destination, Gemini continues to accompany you. Combining Lens with AI capabilities, Google Maps lets you explore your surroundings just by pointing your phone’s camera.
By tapping the camera icon in the search bar, you can target a restaurant, cafe, shop or monument. Pins appear on the screen, then tap the microphone to ask questions like “What is this place and why is it popular?” or “What’s the vibe inside?”. In the same way, you can ask which dishes are most popular in a restaurant or check if the bakery across the street offers French butter croissants.
Thanks to the combination of Gemini and Google Maps’ detailed knowledge of places around the world, the app offers quick answers to decide in seconds whether a spot is worth the wait or the detour. The Gemini-based Lens will begin rolling out in the United States on Android and iOS within the month.