Google Maps introduces AI-powered ‘Ask Maps’ and immersive navigation upgrade

Google has introduced major upgrades to Google Maps, including a conversational “Ask Maps” feature powered by Gemini AI and a redesigned immersive navigation system. The update aims to provide personalised search results, enhanced route guidance and a more intuitive driving experience.

Hyderabad: Google has unveiled major upgrades to Google Maps, introducing a new conversational feature called Ask Maps and a redesigned navigation system powered by its Gemini artificial intelligence models.

The technology giant said the update aims to transform the way people explore places and navigate roads by turning map searches into a conversational experience and offering more intuitive driving guidance.

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The Ask Maps feature allows users to ask complex, real-world questions directly within the app. Instead of searching through multiple reviews and listings, users can ask questions such as where to charge a phone without waiting in a café queue or where to find a public tennis court with lights available at night. The system then generates personalised answers along with a customised map showing relevant options.

According to Google, the feature analyses information from more than 300 million places listed on Maps and incorporates reviews from a community of over 500 million contributors. Responses are also personalised based on a user’s past searches, saved locations and preferences.

For instance, users planning trips can ask for recommended stops along travel routes and receive suggested destinations along with directions, estimated travel times and tips shared by other users.

In addition to conversational search, Google has introduced Immersive Navigation, which the company described as its most significant navigation upgrade in more than a decade.

The update introduces a dynamic 3D map view that displays surrounding buildings, terrain, overpasses and landmarks. The system also highlights important road elements such as traffic lights, crosswalks, stop signs and lane markings to help drivers navigate more confidently.

Google said the feature is powered by its Gemini models, which analyse real-world imagery from Street View and aerial photos to generate accurate route visuals.

The update also brings several new driving features, including smarter route previews, improved voice guidance and insights into alternate routes. The app will now show users trade-offs between route options, such as shorter travel times with tolls or longer routes with less traffic.

Drivers will also receive alerts about disruptions such as road construction and accidents, based on real-time information contributed by millions of users worldwide.

To assist during the final part of a journey, Maps will highlight building entrances, nearby parking options and the correct side of the street for arrival.

Google said the Immersive Navigation feature is beginning to roll out across the United States and will expand to other regions and supported devices, including iOS, Android, CarPlay and Android Auto, in the coming months.

The company said combining Gemini AI with its extensive mapping data could significantly change how people discover places and navigate their daily journeys.