Gemini AI Elevates Google Maps to Conversational Navigation
- tech360.tv
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Google Maps is undergoing a significant transformation, integrating Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) technology to offer a more conversational and intuitive navigation experience. This redesign aims to make the popular app an insightful companion, providing hands-free directions and recommendations.
The updated Google Maps will function similarly to an attentive passenger. It can guide a driver to their destination while also suggesting nearby places to eat, shop, or sightsee upon request. Google announced that users would simply need to ask, removing the need for manual interaction.
AI features are also designed to enhance the precision of Google Maps. The system will direct turns using specific landmarks rather than solely relying on distance notifications. This change is intended to provide clearer guidance for drivers.
Google has stated that built-in safeguards will prevent the system from generating inaccurate information, a phenomenon known as "hallucinations" in AI. The Gemini AI will draw information from approximately 250 million places stored in Google Maps' database, which has accumulated reviews over the past 20 years.
The new AI capabilities for Google Maps will be progressively introduced across both Apple iPhones and Android mobile devices. This rollout will expose Gemini to a vast user base, given that the navigation application is utilised by over 2 billion people globally.
Google hopes these AI features will not only make Maps more essential but also showcase Gemini’s capabilities. This strategic move aims to give Gemini a competitive advantage against rival AI chatbots, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Prompted by ChatGPT's release in late 2022, Google has been consistently rolling out its own AI technology. This ensures its products continue to evolve amid the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.
These updates include a redesign of Google's widely used search engine. This overhaul has shifted emphasis from a mere listing of relevant web links towards highlighting AI overviews and conversational responses within its AI mode.
Google Maps is integrating Gemini AI for a more conversational navigation experience.
The update allows hands-free directions and offers recommendations for local amenities.
New AI features will improve navigation precision by using landmarks for turn directions.
Source: AP NEWS