Google Maps Gets AI-Powered Multi-Tasking Capability

Google has expanded its AI-powered features to Google Maps, allowing users to complete multi-step tasks, such as ordering food on their way home. The 'Ask Maps' assistant can now understand natural language requests, like 'order spicy pad kee mao with seafood for me to pick up on my way home,' and will find open restaurants along the user's route, letting them choose one and add the dish to their cart. Food ordering is rolling out today with partners like Square and Toast, with Uber Eats integration coming soon.

The feature can also provide live updates on transit delays for bus, train, subway, and ferry rides. A new Personal Intelligence option in Ask Maps allows the assistant to connect to Gmail to factor in upcoming plans without needing specific instruction. The live transit widget, personalized responses, and conversation memory are rolling out everywhere Ask Maps is available.

Ask Maps is expanding to more countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico, as well as over 150 countries and territories in English. Food ordering, discovering hotels and events, and conversational contributions are rolling out in the U.S., with more countries set to be added later.