Google has unveiled significant updates to Google Maps driven by artificial intelligence (AI) with the aim of revolutionizing how people engage with the world. These new features are designed to assist users in planning trips, navigating unfamiliar areas, making eco-friendly choices, and discovering local activities.

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One notable addition is Immersive View, which offers detailed previews of cycling, driving, and walking routes, harnessing Google's AI to provide photorealistic 3D simulations of entire journeys. This feature also incorporates AI-driven weather and traffic predictions.

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Moreover, Google is expanding its AI-driven augmented reality search tool, Lens in Maps, to more than 50 new cities globally. Utilizing a phone's camera and AI, Lens identifies nearby landmarks, shops, and transit stations to assist users in orienting themselves in unfamiliar locations. Google Maps' navigation map updates utilize AI to present a more accurate reflection of the real world, featuring enhanced colors, lifelike 3D buildings, and detailed lane guidance.

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Additionally, AI powers new features such as speed limits in Europe and HOV lane alerts in the US. For electric vehicle (EV) drivers, Google Maps now provides AI-powered charging station information to alleviate "charging anxiety," offering compatibility details, charging speeds, and real-time status analysis to help drivers avoid broken or incompatible stations. AI image recognition also enhances Google Maps search, offering photo-first results for queries like "dog-friendly cafe" and automatically suggesting themed activities when searching for "things to do."

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