Google Maps gets new AI-powered features: List of all the 'India-first' updates and more

Google Maps has announced a list of 10 updates for the Indian market, integrating advanced AI models and India-first features aimed at making daily commuting more intuitive and safe. The core of the update is the pairing of the company's AI – Gemini – with Google Maps’ real-world information. Notably, the new enhancements span across core navigation, safety alerts and travel utility, including the introduction of the Gemini AI assistant into the driving experience.

Google Maps is getting ‘supercharged’ navigation with Gemini AI
The new features introduce conversational, hands-free assistance to the driving experience:

Gemini in navigation: This brings a conversational, hands-free driving experience to Google Maps. Users can simply ask for things like "the nearest petrol pump," inquire about parking at their destination, or handle multi-step requests like finding a restaurant and then saying, "OK, let’s go there."

The company says that with user permission, Gemini can also connect to other apps, allowing a driver to add a meeting to their Calendar while navigating.

Local tips in Google Maps: Google says that Gemini will now analyse and summarise Maps reviews and web content to offer practical, pointed tips about places. For example, when viewing Delhi's Dilli Haat, Maps might offer “It's okay to bargain for prices” or mention highly rated stalls.

Ask Maps questions: Users can now ask specific questions about a place, and Gemini acts as an engine, going through reviews, photos and web data for a relevant answer for questions like if a location "has parking" or what its "must-visit stalls" are.

Google Maps enhanced safety and disruption alerts
Apart from navigation-centric features, Google Maps is bringing new safety updates and data partnerships tailored for India’s road network:

Accident-prone area alerts: Google is partnering with government authorities so that Maps can alert users visually and audibly as they approach areas identified as accident-prone, prompting safer driving. This is rolling out in areas like Gurugram, Cyberabad in Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Faridabad.

Speed limits: Maps will now display the official speed limit for a road—right next to the speedometer—based on data from local traffic authorities. This is rolling out in nine Indian cities, including Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.

Traffic alerts: Users will automatically be notified of major disruptions or delays on the road ahead, even if they aren’t actively using navigation. India is among the first markets to receive this feature for Android users on major roads in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Partnership with NHAI: A new collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will provide Google Maps with near real-time data on highway road closures and repairs. The partnership will also help surface information for wayside amenities like restrooms and petrol stations.

Google Maps India-first travel utility features
Google is also rolling out several unique utility updates:

Two-wheeler 'Navatars': For the world's largest two-wheeler market, users can now customise their navigation icon by choosing from different two-wheeler types (motorbikes, sports bikes, scooters) and eight colors, rolling out first to Android users.

New voice navigation for flyovers: Building on a previous India-first flyover feature, Maps will now offer clearer, hands-free audio guidance in nine Indian languages to help users confidently navigate complex flyover maneuvers. This is rolling out across Android and iOS.

Metro ticket management with Google Wallet: Following the integration of metro ticket booking (live in Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, and Chennai), Android users can now save purchased tickets directly to Google Wallet and access them from Maps, eliminating the need to search through galleries or messages.

Gemini in navigation, along with several other features, is rolling out over the coming weeks across Android and iOS devices.