Google brings Gemini to Maps for walkers and cyclists, not just drivers

Google Maps

• Google Maps adds hands-free assistant for walking and cycling routes
• Users can ask questions or send messages without leaving navigation or typing
• Update rolls out globally on iOS and Android where Gemini is available

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Google Maps is no longer just about directions. With its latest update, Google is turning the app into a conversational assistant for people on foot or on bicycles, bringing Gemini-powered, hands-free interactions to walking and cycling navigation.

The feature allows users to ask Gemini questions without leaving the Maps navigation screen or stopping to type. While walking, users can ask things like “Tell me more about this neighbourhood,” “What are the must-see attractions nearby?” or “Are there cafes with a bathroom along my route?” Google says the idea is simple: walking and typing do not mix particularly well.

Cyclists get similar capabilities, with an emphasis on staying focused on the road. Gemini can answer practical questions such as “What’s my ETA?” or “When’s my next meeting?” and can even handle quick tasks like sending a message. A cyclist can say, “Text Emily I’m 10 minutes behind,” without taking their hands off the handlebars.

Importantly, the experience is conversational rather than one-off. Users can ask follow-up questions and refine requests mid-route. Someone might ask for a budget-friendly vegan restaurant within a couple of miles, then immediately follow up with a question about parking availability or crowd levels.

This update builds on the Gemini-powered driving experience Google introduced earlier, but its expansion to walking and cycling feels more consequential. These are moments when people are most likely to want local context rather than turn-by-turn precision: discovering places, making quick decisions, or adjusting plans on the move.

The rollout is global on iOS wherever Gemini is available, with Android support now rolling out. Google has been steadily reworking Maps over the past few months, adding Gemini-driven “know before you go” tips that surface practical insights about places, from booking advice to parking suggestions. The app has also refreshed its Explore tab to highlight trending spots more quickly and introduced EV charger availability predictions to reduce range anxiety.

Zooming out, this is part of a broader push. The announcement lands just a day after Google unveiled deeper Gemini integration in Chrome, including a persistent AI sidebar and agentic features that can browse the web on a user’s behalf. Together, these updates point to a clear strategy: Gemini is no longer an optional add-on but a layer Google wants embedded across search, browsing, and navigation.