Google Maps turns Gemini into your AI tour guide and cycling copilot

Google is continuing its rapid-fire week of Gemini updates by bringing its AI assistant out of the car and onto the sidewalk. While “Gemini in navigation” has been helping drivers for a few months, Google has announced that the conversational experience is now officially rolling out for walking and cycling directions.

This isn’t just a voice-command skin for GPS; it’s a context-aware assistant designed to handle the specific needs of people who are on the move and hands-busy.

Your personal walking tour guide

When you’re on foot, Gemini acts more like a local expert than a simple arrow on a map. Because it leverages Google’s massive index of real-world information and Street View imagery, you can ask natural, conversational questions without stopping to type:

• “What neighborhood am I in?” – Gemini can provide immediate context about your surroundings.
• “Are there any cafes with a bathroom along my route?” – The AI understands your current path and filters results based on walking distance and specific needs.
• “Tell me about that statue over there.” – Using its multimodal capabilities, Gemini can help identify landmarks you pass along the way.

A safety-first copilot for cyclists

For cyclists, the update is a significant safety upgrade. Handling a phone while riding is dangerous, and “hey Google” has historically been a bit limited. Gemini changes this by allowing for complex, multi-step tasks that keep your hands on the bars and eyes on the road:

• Hands-free communication: You can say, “Text Sarah I’m 10 minutes behind,” or ask, “When is my next meeting?” to stay on top of your schedule mid-ride.
• Dynamic ETAs: Simply ask, “What’s my ETA?” or “Is there a faster way?” to get real-time adjustments without fumbling with a screen.
• Incident reporting: Just like in the car, you can voice-report accidents, construction, or slowdowns to help other cyclists in the area.

Global Rollout

The update is rolling out now worldwide on iOS and Android wherever Gemini is supported. This move is part of Google’s broader strategy to weave Gemini into the “ambient” parts of our lives. Instead of opening a separate chat app to plan your day, Gemini is now embedded directly into the tool you’re already using to navigate the world.