The update, rolling out this month, introduces an AI-driven “conversational driving experience” that turns Google Maps into a smarter, hands-free assistant - effectively a digital co-pilot for real-world travel.

Powered by Gemini, users can now ask complex, multi-step questions like, “Find a vegan-friendly restaurant along my route with easy parking,” and then follow up with “Add a calendar reminder for dinner there at 7 p.m”.

Google has said the AI can pull details from apps like Calendar, analyse routes in real time, and perform tasks such as sharing ETAs or locating EV chargers - all without the driver needing to touch the screen.

In addition to smarter assistance, Google is making navigation more intuitive.

The new landmark-based directions feature replaces abstract cues like “turn right in 500 feet” with real-world references, such as “turn right after the Thai Siam Restaurant”.

Google has said this system relies on Gemini’s ability to process Street View imagery and the company’s catalogue of over 250 million places, highlighting familiar landmarks along the route for clearer guidance.

Google added Gemini will also help users stay ahead of traffic, with proactive alerts about closures or delays - even when navigation isn’t active.

For explorers, Lens built with Gemini turns the camera into an instant discovery tool, with users having to simply point their phone at a restaurant or landmark and ask, “What’s popular here?” or “What’s the vibe inside?”

Gemini in Maps launches this month on Android and iOS in the U.S., with Android Auto integration coming soon.