Google Maps gets new features in India: Conversational driving experience, Proactive traffic alerts and more

Google Maps rolled out ten new features in India on Thursday with a twist of AI. The update brings improved safety alerts, disruption notifications and support for emerging travel modes. Leading the announcements is Google’s first hands-free, conversational driving experience, designed to make navigation more intuitive and distraction-free. The company also unveiled proactive local tips, building on last year’s AI-powered “Inspirations” feature to offer personalised recommendations. Several of these updates were introduced in the US just a day earlier, making India  among the first markets to experience their global rollout. Here’s a detailed look into each of the features introduced.

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Hands-free conversational navigation

This feature lets drivers talk to Google Maps using simple voice commands to find nearby places, locate the closest EV charging stations, or share their arrival time with friends and family, all without having to touch their phones. Users can even ask detailed, conversational questions like, “Can you find an affordable pure veg restaurant on my way to Connaught Place with good parking?” Furthermore, if permitted, Google Maps can also go a step further by adding a reminder or calendar event based on the trip plan; for instance, scheduling a meeting once you reach your destination.

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AI-Powered Local Tips

Building on its earlier “Inspirations” tool, this AI-powered upgrade offers personalised suggestions about tourist attractions, restaurants, and businesses along your route. For instance, if you’re driving from Delhi to Dehradun, Maps might recommend a quick stop at Cheetal Grand near Khatauli, a scenic detour to the historic Gurukul Kangri in Haridwar, or a local favourite maggi point near Mussoorie Road, all based on your travel patterns and preferences.

AI-Powered Place Information

Instead of juggling between multiple apps or websites, you can now ask Google Maps directly, “Does this café have Wi-Fi?” or “Is parking available near the Gateway of India?” The feature uses Gemini AI to instantly compile information from public reviews, photos, and business data, giving you quick, conversational answers.

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Traffic, Safety, and Speed Updates

Indian users will soon receive Proactive Traffic Alerts, a new feature that sends real-time notifications about congestion, road closures, and other travel disruptions even when navigation isn’t turned on. Initially, this will be available to Android users in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai, helping commuters plan better routes before they even start their journey.

Google is also launching Accident-Prone Area Alerts to further enhance the road safety in India. This feature relies on verified government data to warn drivers as they approach zones with a higher likelihood of accidents. The first rollout will cover Gurugram, the Cyberabad region in Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Faridabad, with more cities expected to follow.

In addition, the app will now show authoritative speed limits on-screen, next to the existing speedometer, in the following 9 cities: Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Mumbai, Hyderabad (including Cyberabad) and Kolkata. These limits are sourced directly from official traffic authorities and will appear across both Android and iOS platforms.

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Collaboration with NHAI and transit expansion

Google has partnered with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to access verified information in real-time about road closures and maintenance. This would allow the app to send more accurate and realistic route estimations to the drivers.

Apart from this, commuters can now directly book Metro tickets through Google Maps. Available in Delhi, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Chennai for now, the feature directs users to the desired ticketing platform without having to exit the app. The tickets purchased can be saved to Google Wallet and made available under Maps. The service will expand to Mumbai soon.

Enhanced navigation and personalisation

Google Maps is introducing voice-guided flyover navigation in India, helping users decide when to take or skip flyovers without looking at their screens. The feature supports nine Indian languages on both Android and iOS, making it especially useful for two-wheeler riders, who can stay focused on the road while getting clear voice directions.

Lastly, Google has also added customisable two-wheeler avatars in the recent update, an India-exclusive feature that lets riders personalise their in-app icons with different colours and styles.

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Bhaskar Sharma

Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile