“Ask Maps” Gets New Agentic Features in Latest Google Maps AI Update

In Focus

• Users can use “Ask Maps” to find restaurants and order food
• The Google Maps AI assistant can help users to find their preferred hotel
• Google also added Personal Intelligence to “Ask Maps” in the new update

Google has updated Google Maps’ “Ask Maps” with new agentic features. The tech giant has also added Personal Intelligence to “Ask Maps” to generate personalized responses for users. The move to enhance “Ask Maps” with new agentic features reflects Google’s commitment to turn Maps into an assistant that helps users to complete tasks.

What Agentic Features has Google Added to “Ask Maps”?

Here are the new features that users will find in the updated “Ask Maps”:

1. Google Maps Food Ordering Feature
“Ask Maps” now has a food ordering function that allows users to find restaurants and place orders. For instance, users can open “Ask Maps” and pose a query such as, “Where can I order vegan avocado toast and an oat milk latte near home?”

The app displays restaurants nearby that offer what the user needs. Users can select their preferred restaurant and click the “Order online” button to place an order via Uber Eats, Toast, or Square. “Ask Maps” adds the selected items to a digital cart. Users can add more items to the cart before paying to complete the order on the supported platform.

2.Google Maps Hotel Booking Feature
Users can query “Ask Maps” to find their preferred hotel. For instance, a user can ask the agentic tool to find “a decently priced, top-rated hotel with an artsy vibe within walking distance from a gym and restaurants” in their locality.

Before displaying the options availability, “Ask Maps” will check availability and compare prices. Users can review the options to find their preferred hotel and click the link to the partner website to book.

3. Event Tickets Feature
The “Ask Maps” update includes capabilities to purchase event tickets. Users can ask the Google Maps AI assistant to find “comedy shows or live music” events near their workplaces. “Ask Maps” displays a list of options for users to review. After finding the preferred event, users can click the link provided to purchase tickets.

Personalizing User Interactions with Personal Intelligence

The integration of Personal Intelligence into “Ask Maps” means that the AI assistant can generate personalized responses about upcoming dinner, hotel, or flight reservations for users.

For instance, users can ask the AI assistant about the time their upcoming flight will land in their destination or recommend “where to eat and what to do near my hotel”. The AI tool retrieves the relevant information from a user’s calendar and emails and generates a customized response.

How is Google Rolling Out the Updated “Ask Maps” Feature?

Google is initially rolling out “Ask Maps” updates to users in the U.S. The company will expand access to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and other markets over time. The tech giant is also adding memory to “Ask Maps”, enabling the AI assistant to recall previous conversations. Users can return to earlier travel plans by asking questions such as, “What activities had you suggested for my trip to Seattle?” instead of starting a new conversation.