Google Maps Gemini upgrades are about to overhaul navigation

Over the past couple years, Google’s been infusing Gemini AI into every corner of its devices and services — for better or for worse. But even as we shake our heads at AI Mode misses in Search, we’ve been hugely excited about all the Google Maps upgrades Gemini could offer. Today we’re finally learning exactly how that’s going to work, as Google shares all the ways Gemini is about to make Maps even better.

Voice control of Maps through Assistant has already been a big deal, keeping us safely hands-free (and focused on the road) while giving us the ability to plan and revise routes on the fly. But with Gemini, Google promises to take that experience to the next level.

Just what does that mean? Well, if you don’t know exactly where you want to go, you can just describe the sort of place you’re looking for and let Gemini do all the legwork. And that power extends to when you want to add a stop along your existing route as well — you can even follow up with questions, like if you’re curious about the parking situation.

Maps is also using Gemini to get smarter about how it phrases navigation instructions. Expect to get a lot less “turn in 500 feet” and more useful contextual information, like turns based on landmarks you can actually see from where you are.

Another very cool-sounding addition involves integration with Lens — you’ll be able to use your camera and have Maps answer questions about places you see, getting more information about what they offer. If you’ve ever walked by an establishment dozens of times and always wondered what kind of vibe it had inside, this sounds like an easy way to find out.

Gemini should also help save you (and others) from problems you might run into getting around. On one end, that involves easier reporting tools using Gemini’s natural-language skills. And then when Maps is aware of problematic traffic conditions, Gemini will let it proactively warn you, even if you haven’t formally started navigation just yet.

When can you expect to have the chance to try out these upgrades for yourself? Proactive traffic alerts and landmark navigation are arriving on both Android and iOS starting today. Lens integration goes live a little later this month, and we’re looking at a similar timetable for Gemini-based navigation, due within the next few weeks. Android Auto support is a bit further out, but Google still says to look for it “soon.”