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Google Maps Gets Biggest Upgrade with Gemini-Powered Ask Maps and 3D Navigation

Google Maps Ask Maps and Immersive Navigation powered by Gemini AI
March 13, 2026 05:23 PM IST | Written by Vaibhav Jha

In its biggest upgrade in the past decade, Google Maps has introduced Ask Maps and 3D Navigation features powered by Gemini AI. The Google Maps Gemini AI update is touted as a competitive step against Apple Maps.

Google has launched ‘Ask Maps’, a new conversational feature in its Google Maps application, that is powered by Gemini AI to provide an immersive experience to users. 

The new feature ‘Ask Maps’ allows users to ask complex, real world questions in a conversational manner on Google Maps and provides them with personalized, real time answers.

For example, users can now ask Google Maps questions like,” My phone is dying- where can I charge it without having to wait in a long line for coffee?” or “My friends are coming over for dinner, where can I find the best restaurant in the city?.”

The Ask Maps feature provides customized answers to users by personalizing their past interactions with Google Maps. This feature is available for users in U.S. and India.

Along with the Ask Maps feature, Google Maps has also introduced an immersive 3D navigation system for drivers, that will highlight “critical road details like lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights and stop signs.” This feature is only available for US users for now, informed Google.

Both Ask Maps and Immersive Navigation System are powered by Gemini AI of Google that uses real time data and real world imagers from street view and aerial photos of Google.

The new initiatives by Google were announced by its CEO Sundar Pichai on X on Friday.

 

“With Ask Maps, get answers to complex questions about any place you want.  We’re also launching Immersive Navigation – our biggest navigation upgrade in over a decade,” said Pichai in a post on X.

Also Read: “Pursue AI Boldly and Responsibly”: Google’s Pichai at AI Impact Summit

Author

  • Vaibhav Jha

    Vaibhav Jha is an Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage. In his decade long career in journalism, Vaibhav has reported for publications including The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The New York Times, covering the intersection of technology, policy, and society. Outside work, he’s usually trying to persuade people to watch Anurag Kashyap films.

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