Google Maps adds agentic features, including food ordering and hotel bookings

Google Maps' "Ask Maps" feature is expanding its capabilities, incorporating a range of new agentic features that allow users to order food, book hotels, and locate event tickets. These enhancements are part of Google's strategy to evolve Google Maps from a navigation tool into a more capable assistant that can help users complete real-world tasks.

With the new food-ordering feature, users can ask questions like "Where can I order vegan avocado toast and an oat milk latte near home?" and receive nearby restaurant recommendations that offer the desired items. After selecting a restaurant, users can tap "Order online" to place an order through supported platforms such as Square, Toast, or Uber Eats. The platform will add the items to a user's cart, allowing for further customization before proceeding to payment.

Similarly, users can leverage Ask Maps to find suitable accommodations for upcoming trips. By inputting a query like "For next weekend's conference in downtown Miami, find me a decently priced, top-rated hotel with an artsy vibe within walking distance from a gym and restaurants," Ask Maps will compare prices, check availability, and present a list of suitable options.

Users can then click through to the partner's website to finalize their booking. Additionally, users can inquire about entertainment options, such as comedy shows or live music near their workplace, and receive a list of events along with ticket purchasing links.

The new agentic features in Ask Maps are set to roll out to users in the U.S., accompanied by the integration of Personal Intelligence. This feature enables Ask Maps to provide personalized answers to users' questions about flights, dinner reservations, hotels, and more by leveraging information from the user's Gmail and Google Calendar. For example, users could ask about their landing time in Vancouver or seek dining and activity recommendations near their hotel.

Personal Intelligence is initially set to be off, allowing users to enable it voluntarily. The feature also provides the ability to remember prior conversations, enabling users to continue their planning sessions seamlessly. Users can ask about activities suggested for their upcoming trips, and Ask Maps will recall previous suggestions to facilitate the planning process without starting from scratch.

Furthermore, Google is introducing a live transit widget in Ask Maps, which will keep users informed about real-time delays and conditions affecting public transportation. These developments, including Personal Intelligence and the live transit widget, are slated to roll out to all markets where Ask Maps is available.