Google Maps, Waze And Even Rivian’s Map Add AI Features

As Google Maps approaches 20 years next year, it’s fitting that its latest updates revolve around the next era of Google: the search giant’s Gemini AI technology.

In a Halloween announcement, Google previewed new tools for Google Maps search results, driving updates (including parking), a new audio feature for Waze drivers and even AI summaries from Google Maps data for Rivian EVs. More advanced features are rolling out to Google Earth for power users like urban planners.

Google Maps Enhances Arrivals

As head of Google’s Geo division (Google Maps, Waze and Google Earth) Chris Phillips proclaimed at a Palo Alto, California media event at the Google Street View Garage, “The future of maps is here.” While AI features aren’t anything new to Google Maps, some select Gemini curation is a first for the navigation and place search tool.

Most useful for drivers, destination information will now show nearby parking lots and let you save your parking location. From there, Google Maps will give you walking directions back to your original destination.

A blue line will show exactly how to navigate complicated turns, exits and merges as part of an enhanced navigation tool that will show more detail at crosswalks and problem areas.

Miriam Daniel, vice president and general manager of Google Maps, considers the updates tools to “arrive with ease and comfort.” They arrive this week on Google Maps for Android and iOS everywhere.

Immersive View shows what the route looks like and even incorporates time of day and weather to preview the full experience. Phillips said the immersive mode made Google Maps “rethink what a two-dimensional map was.” The AI images and computer vision will soon be available to 150 cities around the word including those in Europe and Japan. College campuses are another new category available in this view.

Immersive routes will also show parking options at the destination and preview complicated turns and maneuvers along the way. Available on Android and iOS, the update rolls out this week.

While not part of driving updates, Gemini will infiltrate the Maps search with a new ask option. Instead of searching for a specific restaurant or for clubs nearby you can ask a chat bot-like query. Looking for ideas for a girls night out in Charlotte? Ask. Daniel called it “inspiration curated with Gemini.” The Gemini-generated results will pop up along with typical search results. Gemini won’t use personal information Google already knows about you when curating results.

Click on a suggestion and Gemini will offer a review summary based on, well, all the reviews. You can ask more questions about the specific listing. The AI feature will roll out this week and is included at no cost into Google Maps.

Waze Talks It Out

With 180 million monthly active users on Waze, there are a lot of drivers alerting others about traffic, crashes, police sightings and the occasional mattress in the way.

This week a beta will give test users the chance to report incidents in a new way: with their voice. It will launch in English on Android and iOS before expanding to more languages in the new year.

The new Conversational Reporting feature lets drivers tap a button and speak naturally about what they saw on the road. It can be as simple as “Traffic ahead” to a more complicated “Garbage can blocking the left lane.” A voice will ask a follow-up if it needs more information. Otherwise, you can continue driving and keep your eyes on the road.

Rivian Is Going Places

Sitting in a Rivian R1S, a Second Generation model of the electric SUV that was introduced earlier this year, at Google’s Street View Garage in Palo Alto, you could see Google’s Gemini integration built into Rivian’s native map.

On the EV’s center console when searching for a restaurant, store, market or even park or landmark, Google’s AI will offer a summary of the place on the side panel (it’s marked as “Summarized by AI”). For Yosemite National Park, Google offers this summary: “Waterfall-rich national park featuring ancient giant sequoias, deep valleys, meadows and wildlife.”

The small feature will be added to Rivian screens next month. Rivian is the only carmaker so far using the Places API from Google in its in-vehicle navigation app (not to be confused with Google built-in which Volvo and Polestar use for its respective infotainment systems). Rivian senior software engineering manager for mapping Colin Crenshaw said the feature is for on-the-go information.

While a subtle feature, it sets the stage for Rivian (and other carmakers) to incorporate Google and other AI enhancements for mapping, navigation and other infotainment apps.