Gemini in navigation to proactive traffic alerts: Google Maps brings 10 new powerful features to India

Google Maps is bringing 10 new features to users in India with the aim of making the navigating service a ‘truly conversation AI powered Map’. The company had announced many of these features on Wednesday and confirmed their rollout in India today while others are specific to India.

“We are bringing Gemini into navigation itself, enabling enhanced intelligent, hands-free conversational driving experience right in Google Maps.” said Lalitha Ramani, General Manager for Google Maps India in a briefing attended by Mint.

“It isn't just search.This is Gemini reasoning through a multi-step problem here.” Ramani explained in the briefing

“It's connecting the dots between trusted information from web, from reviews, from the maps community, and the rich geospatial data that knows everything you could want to know about a place, like what its opening hours are, if it has outdoor seating, is there a parking nearby, what is the price range, and more things.” she added

The feature will start rolling out to users in India in the coming weeks.

2) Proactive local tips to users:

Gemini on Google Maps will now also change how users exlore and plan before going to their favourite restaurant or a tourist attraction. The AI assistant will now analyze user reviews and web content to provide proactive and practical tips for the place they are checking out on the Map.

Gemini can suggest the ‘best month to visit’ a place or check out the menu of a restaurant before going there or even insider tips like “It's okay to bargain for prices” or don't miss a particular spot.

"On Maps, this information might be buried deep in reviews, maybe in a photo caption, or maybe even hidden in a menu. With our new feature, you can just ask" Ramani said

While explaining how the feature works, she said, “Gemini sifts through all the rich information reviews, user-submitted photos, details, along with the trusted information on the web to find the specific relevant answers for you.”

4) Proactive Traffic Alerts:

Google Maps willl now automatically alert users about the major disruptions or delays on their route even when they are not actively navigating.

Anal Ghosh, Senior Programme Manager, Google while explaining the feature said, “Google Maps acts as your smart lookout, even when you're not actively navigating with the app. If you're driving without navigating, Maps will automatically alert you when there is a major disruption or delay on your route”

The feature is being rolled out to users in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru for major roads and highways.

5) Alerts for accident prone areas:

Google Maps will now alert users visually and through as they approach an accident prone areas. Google says the feature has been designed specifically for India and in partnership with government authorities.

It is being rolled out to Android users in Gurugram, Cyberabad, Chandigarh, and Faridabad.

6) See official speed limits:

Google has partnered with local traffic authorities to provide authoritative speed limit for relevant roads next to the speedometer during navigation. The feature is being rolled out to users in Android and iOS in nine Indian cities: Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Hyderabad (including Cyberabad), Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Noida.

7) Real time data on road closures:

Google has partnered with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to share real-time, authoritative data on road closures and repairs. Google will also show information about wayside amenities like public restrooms, eateries and petrol stations.

8) Customizable two-wheeler navatars:

Google Maps will allow users to customize the navigation icon of their two-wheeler eight different two-wheeler types and eight vibrant colors. The feature will be rolling to users on Android and iOS over the coming weeks in India.

9) Voie guidance for flyovers:

Google Maps is adding voice support for flyovers by providing clearer, hands free audio commands in nine Indian languages to provide navigation for the upcoming flyovers. The feature is aimed mainly at two-wheeler drives who will hear the flyover intruction without having to look at their phone. It is being rolled out to Android and iOS users in India in the coming weeks.

10) Save tickets on Google Wallet:

Users can now save their booked tickets to Google Wallet with one click and then access them directly via Google Maps when they need them. The feature is now arriving for Android users in Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, and Chennai and support for Mumbai to arrive soon.