Google Maps just got a major AI upgrade — and it’s finally hands-free for walkers and cyclists

(Image credit: Future)

Essentially a conversational co-pilot, users can now navigate a route in Google Maps and ask natural-language questions without leaving the navigation view.

It works similarly to talking to a passenger sitting next to you — except that passenger can pull real-time map data, business listings and scheduling info instantly.

In other words, it’s like a built-in tour guide. Pedestrian navigation is where the upgrade promises to feel the most transformative. Instead of stopping to type into a search bar, walkers can now ask questions like:

“What neighborhood am I in?” “What are some must-see attractions nearby?” “Are there cafés with a bathroom along my route?”

Gemini pulls from Maps’ location data and nearby points of interest to provide contextual answers while you continue walking. It effectively turns Google Maps into a lightweight audio walking guide layered over turn-by-turn directions.

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For cyclists: the upgrade means you know where you’re going without letting go of the handlebars. This safety-focused twist is designed to reduce distractions by enabling common tasks through voice alone, such as:

“What’s my ETA?”“When’s my next meeting?”“Text Sarah I’m 10 minutes behind.”

Instead of reaching into a pocket or tapping a mounted phone, riders can keep both hands on the bike while still interacting with their schedule or messages.

(Image credit: Getty/FreshSplash)

Voice navigation itself isn’t new — Google Maps has supported spoken directions for years. What’s different here is contextual conversation layered onto navigation, powered by Gemini’s language model rather than rigid voice commands.

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In practical terms, that means:

Less screen dependency while movingMore natural phrasing instead of memorizing command syntaxContext-aware answers based on your route and surroundingsProductivity features integrated into travel rather than separate apps

For urban explorers, commuters and travelers, it shifts Google Maps from a passive directions tool into something closer to a real-time assistant embedded in your journey.

There’s no separate download required — the experience lives directly inside Google Maps navigation.

This expansion highlights Google’s broader push to weave AI assistants into everyday mobility rather than keeping them confined to standalone chat apps. Instead of opening an AI assistant and then switching back to Maps, the assistant now shows up exactly where decisions happen — while you’re on the move.