More AI for Google Maps: Gemini curates content
Google Maps will answer questions about locations in future. Gemini is moving into the service as a kind of map service chatbot.
(Image: I AM NIKOM/Shutterstock.com)
Instead of reading countless reviews, you can now have Gemini summarize them for you. You can also use the chatbot in Google Maps to get recommendations for activities. Gemini curates the content of the map service.
Google believes that AI in Google Maps is particularly practical if you don't have time to read reviews, for example. "And if a place catches your eye and you want to know more about it, simply ask Google Maps questions about the location to get relevant answers in an instant." According to the blog post, this works with the 250 million locations worldwide that Google has stored as such, as well as the corresponding information from the Google Maps community. On Google Maps, people can leave photos and information such as opening times and ratings.
However, this AI function is initially only available for Android and iOS in the USA. Google has already announced that the searchable information on locations will soon be included in Google Search. The AI functions for search are also not yet available in the EU. Google says there are regulatory uncertainties.
Google Maps should also help to make journeys more exciting. If you select a route, you can choose "Add stops". Instead of having to find them yourself, the AI does it for you. Gemini makes suggestions for points of interest along the way, attractions, picturesque places and restaurants, if you like.
Navigation shows lanes, parking spaces and the route from the car to the front door
Navigation is to be made even more helpful by Google showing which lane you are in – to prevent last-minute lane changes. Traffic signs and crosswalks will be more clearly visible on the map. However, this only applies to 30 major cities in the USA. Additional data such as the weather, uncleared roads, flooded roads and other real-time data that can be reported will be included in the navigation. This function is available worldwide. Google explicitly writes that this is to "keep you and your passengers up to date". Entering weather data in an app while driving is probably better left to a passenger.
Google also helps you find a parking space – These are displayed at the destination. The footpath description, which is also available as Street View or augmented reality navigation, is then used for the route from the parking lot to the entrance. This ensures that no one walks in the wrong direction and no one has to look for hidden house numbers or take their eyes off their smartphone in any other way.
(emw)