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Google Maps: Real-Time Navigation & Live Location Sharing - MCP Implementation

Google Maps: Real-Time Navigation & Live Location Sharing

Navigate with confidence: Real-time directions, detailed place insights, and live location updates—all in one essential travel companion. 🌍✨

Location Services
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About Google Maps

What is Google Maps: Real-Time Navigation & Live Location Sharing?

Google Maps offers a cutting-edge platform that combines instant navigation updates with real-time location sharing. This powerful duo helps users stay oriented in dynamic environments while keeping groups connected. Whether you're avoiding traffic jams or coordinating a meetup, these features transform how we interact with maps and each other.

How to Use Google Maps: Real-Time Navigation & Live Location Sharing?

Getting started is straightforward:
1. Enable API access by obtaining a Google Cloud key.
2. Configure your setup via Docker or npm for seamless integration.
3. Execute commands like maps_directions for turn-by-turn guidance or maps_share_location to broadcast your position live.
TIP: Always validate responses using place IDs to ensure accuracy.

Google Maps Features

Key Features of Google Maps: Real-Time Navigation & Live Location Sharing

  • Adaptive Route Updates: Instantly reroute around accidents using real-time traffic data
  • Group Coordination: Share your location with contacts for up to 3 hours
  • Contextual Search: Find nearby amenities using natural language queries
  • Multi-Modal Transit: Compare driving, walking, cycling, and public transport options

Use Cases for Google Maps: Real-Time Navigation & Live Location Sharing

Perfect for:
• Emergency responders tracking incidents in real time
• Families meeting at unfamiliar locations
• Delivery drivers optimizing routes on the fly

Google Maps FAQ

FAQ: Google Maps Real-Time Features

Q: How often does location data update?
A: Position updates every 5-15 seconds depending on network conditions.

Q: Can I set expiration times for shared locations?
A: Yes - default 3-hour sharing duration can be adjusted programmatically.

Q: What's the accuracy margin for navigation?
A: Typically within 5-meter radius in urban areas using GPS/Wi-Fi triangulation.

Content

Google Maps MCP Server

MCP Server for the Google Maps API.

Tools

  1. maps_geocode
* Convert address to coordinates
* Input: `address` (string)
* Returns: location, formatted_address, place_id
  1. maps_reverse_geocode
* Convert coordinates to address
* Inputs: 
  * `latitude` (number)
  * `longitude` (number)
* Returns: formatted_address, place_id, address_components
  1. maps_search_places
* Search for places using text query
* Inputs: 
  * `query` (string)
  * `location` (optional): { latitude: number, longitude: number }
  * `radius` (optional): number (meters, max 50000)
* Returns: array of places with names, addresses, locations
  1. maps_place_details
* Get detailed information about a place
* Input: `place_id` (string)
* Returns: name, address, contact info, ratings, reviews, opening hours
  1. maps_distance_matrix
* Calculate distances and times between points
* Inputs: 
  * `origins` (string[])
  * `destinations` (string[])
  * `mode` (optional): "driving" | "walking" | "bicycling" | "transit"
* Returns: distances and durations matrix
  1. maps_elevation
* Get elevation data for locations
* Input: `locations` (array of {latitude, longitude})
* Returns: elevation data for each point
  1. maps_directions
* Get directions between points
* Inputs: 
  * `origin` (string)
  * `destination` (string)
  * `mode` (optional): "driving" | "walking" | "bicycling" | "transit"
* Returns: route details with steps, distance, duration

Setup

API Key

Get a Google Maps API key by following the instructions here.

Usage with Claude Desktop

Add the following to your claude_desktop_config.json:

Docker

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-maps": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY",
        "mcp/google-maps"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "<YOUR_API_KEY>"
      }
    }
  }
}

NPX

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-maps": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-google-maps"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "<YOUR_API_KEY>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Build

Docker build:

docker build -t mcp/google-maps -f src/google-maps/Dockerfile .

License

This MCP server is licensed under the MIT License. This means you are free to use, modify, and distribute the software, subject to the terms and conditions of the MIT License. For more details, please see the LICENSE file in the project repository.

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