Google Maps is adding new AI features, including a builder agent and MCP server – a tool that connects AI assistants with Google Maps technical documentation – to help developers and users create interactive designs using Maps data and code. The company said it commonly uses Gemini models to support these features.
Among these new tools, the Builder Agent is a tool that, like many other coding tools, allows you to describe in text the type of interactive map-based prototype you want to build and have it created for you. For example, you can type “create a city tour in Street View”, “create a map that visualizes the weather in my region in real time”, or “list of pet-friendly hotels in the city”.
Once you've generated your code, you can export it, test the preview project using your own API keys if necessary, or modify the project in Firebase Studio.
The same tool also includes a styling agent that allows users to create a personalized map that fits a specific style format or theme. This can help brands create maps with specific color coding.
Google already provides this data ground mapping via the Gemini API. The company is now rolling out a similar feature called Grounding Lite, which allows developers to ground their own AI models using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), a standard that allows AI assistants to connect to external data sources.
With this feature, AI assistants can answer questions such as: “How far is the nearest grocery store?” The company also provides Context View, a low-code Google Maps component that can provide users with a visual understanding for such questions. This function can display a list, map view or 3D display as a response.
Google is also adding a set of coding assistant tools, the MCP server, which connects to Google Maps documentation. Developers can use this connection to get answers about using the API and Google Maps data. The company launched last month extensions for the Gemini command line utility to allow developers to access Maps data.
Techcrunch event
San Francisco
|
October 13-15, 2026
The company is also trying to add more Gemini-based features to Maps on the consumer side. Last week, users were able to use Gemini navigation in conjunction with Hands-Free Maps. For users in India, Google has added incident alerts and speed limit data to the Maps app in selected areas.
