Talk to Your Map: AI-Powered Navigation
The biggest change is how you interact with Maps while driving. Thanks to Gemini AI, you get a conversational, hands-free experience.
- Gemini in Navigation: You can now ask for things in a natural way. Instead of tapping, just say, “Find the nearest petrol pump” or even handle multi-step requests like, “Find a highly rated restaurant, then set the route to go there.”
- Intelligent Local Tips: Stop wading through long reviews. Gemini will analyze all the reviews and web content to give you quick, practical advice. For example, if you’re looking at Delhi’s Dilli Haat, Maps might offer a tip like, “It’s okay to bargain for prices.”
- Ask Specific Questions: Need to know if a location “has parking” or which are the “must-visit stalls”? You can now ask Maps a specific question, and Gemini will quickly find the answer buried in reviews and data.
- Connects to Other Apps: With your permission, Gemini can even interact with other apps. While navigating, you could ask it to “Add a quick meeting to my Calendar.”
Smarter Safety and Alerts for Indian Roads
Google is using new partnerships and data to make driving safer, with several features launching in India first.
- Accident-Prone Area Alerts: This is a life-saving feature. Google is working with government authorities so that Maps can give you a clear visual and audible alert as you approach roads known for accidents, prompting you to slow down. This is rolling out in areas like Gurugram and Cyberabad.
- Official Speed Limits Display: No more guessing games. Maps will now show the official speed limit for the road right next to your in-app speedometer, using data from local traffic police. This is coming to nine major cities, including Mumbai and Kolkata.
- Traffic Alerts Without Navigation: Even if you aren’t actively navigating, Maps will automatically notify Android users of major disruptions or delays ahead on key roads in cities like New Delhi and Bangalore.
- Partnership with NHAI: A collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) means you’ll get near real-time data on highway road closures and repairs. It will also help surface information on essential services like restrooms and petrol stations along the highway.
Unique Utility Features for Indian Travelers
These updates focus on the unique ways people travel across India.
- Two-Wheeler ‘Navatars’: Since India has the world’s largest two-wheeler market, you can now customize your navigation icon. Choose from different styles (motorbikes, scooters) and eight different colors. This is rolling out first for Android users.
- Clearer Flyover Voice Navigation: Navigating complex, multi-level flyovers just got easier. Maps will offer clearer, hands-free audio guidance in nine Indian languages to help you confidently handle those tricky maneuvers.
- Metro Ticket Management: If you book metro tickets, Android users can now save them directly to Google Wallet and access them from within the Maps app, eliminating the need to search through messages or galleries at the station.
These new features, including the Gemini AI integration, will be rolling out to both Android and iOS devices over the next few weeks. Get ready for a much smarter and safer journey!
