Google Maps gets major upgrade with AI-powered personal assistant features

Google has announced a major update to its 'Ask Maps' service, calling it the biggest transformation of Google Maps in over a decade. The update introduces agentic capabilities that can handle multi-step tasks for users, such as ordering food, searching for hotels, and discovering events. It also features real-time public transport information and 'personal intelligence' linked to Gmail accounts. The service is expanding to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and more than 150 countries and regions.

Powered by Gemini models, the service understands complex conversational requests. For example, if a user says, 'Order me a spicy seafood Pad Kee Mao to pick up on my way home,' Maps will search for open restaurants along the user's route, consider saved locations and dietary needs, and automatically add the dish to the order basket for review and payment. This is in partnership with Square and Toast, with Uber Eats integration coming soon.

Hotels and events with a single request

The service enables users to search for hotels using natural language, such as: 'Find me a reasonably priced hotel with high ratings and an artistic vibe, within walking distance of a gym and restaurants.' It compares real-time prices, checks availability, and displays nearby events like concerts and comedy shows, complete with ticket links.

'Personal intelligence': Maps that know your plans

With the 'Personal Intelligence' feature, users can optionally link the service to their Gmail account (and later, their calendar), allowing Maps to automatically consider travel plans and reservations. For example, asking, 'Suggest how I can spend a few hours near my hotel before my flight tomorrow' will prompt recommendations based on a hotel booking in Buraidah, along with a suggested time to head to the airport. Google confirmed that this integration is off by default and entirely up to the user.

The service can also remember previous conversations—if history settings are enabled—so asking, 'Remind me of the activities you suggested for my Seattle trip' will retrieve earlier ideas without starting planning from scratch.

Real-time bus schedules and conversational contributions

Google has added a public transport tool that displays up-to-the-minute delays for buses, trains, metros, and ferries on a 'virtual departure board' updated minute by minute. Users can now suggest edits to place information via conversation, upload a photo of a shop sign for Maps to automatically extract new opening hours before confirmation, and add local tips simply by speaking—such as 'there's extra parking behind the building'—which will be shown to other users. Built-in safeguards remain in place to review the accuracy of these contributions.