Google has announced its integrating Gemini AI into Google Maps navigation, giving you an all-knowing co-pilot you can talk to like a front seat passenger.

I was shown a demo during an online briefing ahead of the announcement being made, and if Gemini performs in real life as it did during the presentation, it could be a game-changer for on-the-move route changes and updates.

　　Okay Google, impress me

With Gemini integration in navigation, youll be able to have a hands-free conversation with the AI, asking complex queries such as is there a budget-friendly restaurant with vegan options within a couple of miles?

Recommended Videos Gemini will take into account the route youre currently traveling, use data from the 250 million places indexed in Google Maps, and harness AI to suggest suitable places to eat which wont take you way off course.

You can then ask follow-up questions, such as whats the parking like there? and Gemini will know youre referring to the restaurant it just suggested, and again will use the places index and information available on the web to provide you an answer.

Unsurprisingly, in the brief demo Gemini performed flawlessly, finding a suitable place to eat and providing accurate parking information, and its got my hopes up.

Google stresses that this Gemini integration wont be prone to hallucinations either, as its using the places data already indexed in Google Maps and reliable sources from the web to provide the information.

Related: Google highlights new data showing youre safer from scams on Android than on iPhone The proof will be in the pudding (Hey Google, find me a great pudding place on my route), so while Im excited, Im also a little apprehensive until Im actually able to try it out for myself.

Google says youll also be able to ask other, non-navigation related questions to Gemini, such as getting a news briefing, sports scores, or a summary of your email inbox. Youll also be able to do things such as add events to your calendar, just by speaking to Gemini.

　　But wait, theres more

Gemini for navigation isnt the only AI Maps treat Google has in store, as its also announced landmark based navigation and proactive traffic alerts as part of its navigation expansion.

Landmark based navigation looks to address issues around distance-based instructions (e.g. take a right in 300 feet), by adding visible objects and buildings into the spoken directions.

Maps can already say things such as take the right after the Stop sign/traffic lights, but these markers arent always on the route youre traveling. In these cases, Maps will use AI to scan Googles Street View images and cross reference them with the places index in Maps, to provide directions such as turn right after the Thai Siam Restaurant.

It will look for prominent landmarks such as gas stations, restaurants and famous buildings, to provide your with clearer, more useful directions.

Meanwhile, proactive traffic alerts can warn you of upcoming delays or issues on your route, even if youre not using navigation. AI can learn your most common journeys and predict when youre making them, sending notifications to your phone and offer alternative routes if necessary.

　　When will you get Gemini for navigation?

Gemini in the Google Maps navigation experience will be rolling out to Android and iOS in coming weeks. Meanwhile landmark based navigation and proactive traffic alerts are rolling out now, although only in the US initially.

However, if you use Android Auto (where you connect your phone to your car to get Maps on your infotainment display) youll have to wait a little longer for the Gemini integration as Google says itll arrive later, without any firm timeline confirmed.

And this isnt the only new feature Google has rolled out for Maps, with intelligent lane guidance arriving on cars with Google built-in soon. Meanwhile, GM is working on deeply integrating Gemini in its upcoming vehicles.