Google shuts down Project Mariner

Source: The Verge

Google has pulled the plug on Project Mariner, an experimental feature designed to perform tasks for you across the web, as reported earlier by Wired’s Maxwell Zeff. The Project Mariner landing page now displays a message: “Thank you for using Project Mariner. It was shut down on May 4th, 2026 and its technology voyaged to other Google products.”

Background

Google first revealed Project Mariner in December 2024 and later announced an update allowing it to perform up to 10 tasks at a time. Over the past year, Google integrated features powered by Project Mariner into its other AI tools, including:

• Gemini Agent – can archive emails on your behalf or help you book a hotel.
• AI‑powered search (AI Mode) – incorporates Mariner’s agentic capabilities into Google Search.

Related AI Features

Earlier this year, Google showcased “auto‑browse,” an AI‑powered feature that can perform multi‑step tasks in Chrome (e.g., researching flight costs). While Google has not confirmed whether auto‑browse is powered by Project Mariner, it appears to be a response to similar agentic web‑browsing tools from:

• OpenAI
• Perplexity
• OpenClaw

Future Outlook

With the removal of Project Mariner, Google may be making room for other AI features that could debut during this year’s I/O, which starts on May 19th, 2026. Google did not immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.