With Google Maps turning 20 next year, it’s fitting that the 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 options), a new audio feature for Waze drivers, and even AI summaries from Google Maps data for Rivian electric vehicles. Advanced features are being introduced in Google Earth for power users such as city planners.

Google Maps improves the journey

As head of Google’s geospatial division (Google Maps, Waze and Google Earth), Chris Phillips announced at a media event at the Google Street View Garage in Palo Alto, California, “The future of maps is here.” During AI capabilities for Google While Maps is nothing new, Gemini’s curation of a select few is a first for the navigation and location search tool.

Most useful for drivers: Destination information now shows nearby parking spaces and allows you to save your parking location. From there, Google Maps will show you directions back to your original destination.

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

Miriam Daniel, vice president and general manager of Google Maps, believes the update tools “arrive easily and conveniently.” They’re appearing everywhere on Google Maps for Android and iOS this week.

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

Immersive routes also display parking options at the destination and preview complicated turns and maneuvers along the way. The update is available for Android and iOS and will be released this week.

Although not part of the driving updates, Gemini will infiltrate map search with a new question option. Instead of searching for a specific restaurant or club nearby, you can make a chatbot-like request. Looking for ideas for a girls night out in Charlotte? Questions. Daniel called it “Inspiration curated with Gemini.” The results generated by Gemini are displayed alongside typical search results. Gemini does not use any personal information that Google already knows about you when curating its results.

Click on a suggestion and Gemini will provide a review summary based on all reviews. You can ask further questions about the respective entry. The AI ​​feature is rolling out this week and is included for free in Google Maps.

Waze says it

With 180 million monthly active users on Waze, there are plenty of drivers alerting others to traffic, accidents, police sightings and the occasional mattress in the way.

This week, a beta release gives test users the ability 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 allows drivers to tap a button and naturally talk about what they saw on the road. It can be as simple as “traffic ahead” to a more complicated “trash can blocking the left lane.” If more information is needed, a voice will ask. Otherwise, you can keep driving and keep an eye on the road.

Rivian is on the way

Sitting in a Rivian R1S, a second-generation model of the electric SUV introduced earlier this year, at Google’s Street View Garage in Palo Alto, you can see how Google’s Gemini integration is integrated into Rivian’s native map.

When you search for a restaurant, store, market, or even a park or attraction on the electric vehicle’s center console, Google’s AI provides a summary of the location in the sidebar (labeled “Summary by AI”). For Yosemite National Park, Google offers this summary: “Waterfall-rich national park with ancient giant sequoias, deep valleys, meadows and wildlife.”

The small feature will be added to Rivian screens next month. Rivian is so far the only automaker to use Google’s Places API in its in-vehicle navigation app (not to be confused with the Google integration that Volvo and Polestar use for their respective infotainment systems). Colin Crenshaw, senior software engineering manager for mapping at Rivian, said the feature is intended for information on the go.

While it’s a subtle feature, it lays the groundwork for Rivian (and other automakers) to integrate Google and other AI enhancements for mapping, navigation and other infotainment apps.