Google Maps will become smarter with Gemini AI and will receive 3D navigation mode

Google has introduced a major update to the Google Maps service. The application has added a new Ask Maps feature, which works on the basis of Gemini models. It allows you to search for places using natural language queries.

The user can formulate complex questions – for example, where you can charge your phone without a long queue or whether there are tennis courts with lighting nearby for playing in the evening. The application analyzes the query and suggests suitable locations.

In essence, the service tries to replace a separate search for information on the Internet. Instead of studying sites and reviews, the user can ask a question directly in the application and get a list of suitable places.

Trip planning and personal recommendations

The new system is also used for travel planning. The user can specify a destination, after which the service will suggest places that may be interesting along the way or near the location.

To form recommendations, the system analyzes data on more than 300 million places around the world, as well as reviews from more than 500 million users.

In this case, the algorithms take into account individual preferences: search history, saved places and previously visited establishments. For example, the service can remember which types of restaurants or cafes the user chooses most often.

Immersive Navigation — the biggest navigation update in a decade

At the same time, the company introduced a redesigned navigation system called Immersive Navigation. In Google Maps, the visual design and logic of prompts while driving have changed.

Maps received a three-dimensional display of buildings, overpasses and elements of the surrounding area. Important road details are also highlighted on the screen – traffic lanes, pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and stop signs. These features also use the Gemini models.

New features for routes and traffic information

The update also applies to route planning tools. The interface has received a wider overview of the road: transparent buildings and dynamic zooming allow you to see difficult turns or the need to change lanes in advance.

Voice prompts have also changed – they have become more natural.

In addition, the service analyzes the traffic situation more actively. The system processes more than five million updates every second around the world to offer alternative routes with fewer traffic jams or faster travel times.