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Google Navigator Integration

This guide covers integrating with Google Maps services: Places (search, details, nearby), Directions, and Geocoding.

Overview

Google Navigator provides location and navigation features through Google Maps APIs. It is separate from the Google (Gmail/Calendar) integration.

Services Covered: - Places Search: Text search for businesses, landmarks, and addresses - Place Details: Detailed info including hours, reviews, phone, website - Nearby Search: Find places within a radius of a location - Directions: Turn-by-turn route planning (driving, walking, transit, bicycling) - Geocoding: Convert addresses to coordinates and vice versa

Prerequisites

  • Google Cloud account
  • A Google Cloud project with billing enabled

Step 1: Create an API Key

  1. Go to Google Cloud Console
  2. Create or select a project
  3. Enable the required APIs:
  4. Places API (New): For text search and nearby search
  5. Directions API: For route planning
  6. Geocoding API: For address/coordinates conversion
  7. Go to APIs & Services > Credentials
  8. Click Create Credentials > API Key
  9. Copy the API key

Step 2: Configure in Settings

  1. Go to Settings > Integrations > Google Navigator
  2. Enable the Google Navigator integration
  3. Paste your API key
  4. Click Save
  5. Click Test Connection to verify

Or use environment variables:

GOOGLE_NAVIGATOR_ENABLED=true
GOOGLE_PLACES_API_KEY=AIzaSy...

How It Works

The Google Navigator integration is used internally by the assistant for location-related queries. When you ask about places, directions, or geocoding, the assistant calls the Google Maps APIs.

Example Conversations

You: Find Italian restaurants in San Francisco
Assistant: [Returns list of Italian restaurants with ratings, addresses, and hours]

You: How do I get from San Francisco to Los Angeles by car?
Assistant: [Returns driving directions with duration and distance]

You: What are the coordinates of 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway?
Assistant: [Returns latitude and longitude]

Connection Test

To verify your API key is working:

POST /api/google_navigator/test-connection

Returns: 

{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Google Navigator is configured. API key found."
}

Or "error" if the key is missing or invalid.

Rate Limits

Google Maps APIs have the following limits per API key:

API Free Tier Paid Tier
Places (Text Search) 1,000 req/day Higher
Places (Nearby) 1,000 req/day Higher
Directions 2,500 req/day Higher
Geocoding 40,000 req/day Higher

All APIs share a common quota pool. Monitor usage at Google Cloud Console.

Troubleshooting

"Google Navigator integration is not enabled"

  • Go to Settings > Integrations > Google Navigator
  • Ensure the toggle is enabled
  • Verify an API key is saved

"Places API (New) is not enabled"

API returns no results

  • Verify the API key has the correct permissions
  • Check that the APIs (Places, Directions, Geocoding) are enabled
  • Check Google Cloud Console for quota or billing issues

Directions fails with "OVER_QUERY_LIMIT"

  • You have exceeded your daily quota
  • Check Google Cloud Console for usage
  • Enable billing for higher quotas (free tier has limits)

Geocoding returns "No results"

  • The address may not be geocodable
  • Try a more specific address
  • Check for typos

Security Considerations

  • API Key: Keep it secure — it provides access to Google Maps services
  • Quota: Monitor your API usage in Google Cloud Console
  • Billing: Ensure billing is set up to avoid service interruption when quotas are exceeded

API References

Last Updated: March 2026