Enhanced navigation features for Google Maps
Powered by Gemini
Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, Google is now transforming the Google Maps navigation experience by introducing new features powered by Gemini to make travel planning more intuitive and stress-free.
One of the standout updates includes receiving personalised recommendations directly through Google Maps. Users can now ask the app for suggestions based on specific queries, such as “things to do with friends at night”.
This feature will generate tailored ideas, from visiting local speakeasies to finding live music events, all curated using Gemini’s advanced reasoning and summarisation capabilities. Additionally, helpful summaries of user reviews will enable quick decisions, making it easier for users to choose destinations that meet their preferences.
This update will roll out this week in the US on Android and iOS devices, and the functionality will be expanded to Google Search in the coming months.
Google Maps is also introducing significant updates to its navigation systems to simplify the driving experience. Users can now explore potential stops by tapping “add stops” after getting directions. This feature highlights landmarks, attractions, scenic spots, and dining options, ensuring drivers can optimise their journey before hitting the road.
Enhancing navigation will provide clearer visuals of lanes, crosswalks, and road signs to tackle unfamiliar areas. A new lane guidance feature will allow drivers to follow a blue line indicating the appropriate lane for merging, thus reducing last-minute lane changes and enhancing overall safety.
As the winter season approaches in the US, users can see and report weather-related disruptions along their routes, including flooded areas and low-visibility conditions. This feature will be invaluable for drivers looking to avoid hazardous driving situations.
Google Maps has upgraded its arrival guidance, recognising that a journey is incomplete until users reach their destination. The app will now illuminate buildings and entrances, helping users find nearby parking options and providing reminders to save their parking location. Once parked, users can access walking directions from their car to the entrance, complete with Street View and augmented reality navigation options to quickly orient themselves.
These enhancements will be globally available on Android, and expanded navigation capabilities will roll out next month across over 30 metropolitan areas.
Additionally, Google Maps enhances its features, allowing users to visualise locations using AI, imagery, and computer vision. Starting this week, Immersive View will be available for 150 cities worldwide, including Brussels, Kyoto, and Frankfurt, offering insights into weather and traffic conditions for planned visits. New categories, such as college campuses, have also been added, allowing users to explore these areas virtually before arriving.
Featured image: A standout update includes receiving personalised recommendations directly through Google Maps. Credit: Google
