Google is replacing Google Assistant with Gemini in cars with Google built-in, offering drivers a more natural, conversational, and capable AI experience behind the wheel. The rollout is starting with English-language users in the United States and is expected to expand to more languages and countries in the coming months. Eligible users who are signed into their Google Account in their car will see the option to upgrade to Gemini, and the update applies to both new vehicles and existing ones through a software update — fulfilling a commitment Google made when cars with Google built-in first launched in 2020.
Gemini allows drivers to speak naturally rather than relying on rigid voice commands. Drivers can ask Gemini to find restaurants along a route with specific requirements, get real-time updates about traffic and events from Google Maps, summarize and respond to text messages hands-free, and control music and radio with precise requests. The assistant understands conversational follow-up questions, allowing drivers to refine requests without starting over, and can manage navigation, climate settings, and other vehicle controls through natural language.
One of Gemini’s most distinctive features is its integration with manufacturer-provided owner’s manuals, allowing the assistant to answer vehicle-specific questions tailored to a driver’s exact car model. Drivers can ask how to prepare for a car wash, how to program the trunk height in a low-ceilinged garage, or what their current battery level means for an upcoming drive. A beta feature called Gemini Live also opens up free-flowing conversations for brainstorming and learning while on the road, enabling drivers to explore topics about their destination or plan activities for an outing.
In the near future, Google says Gemini will expand to additional languages and countries and give drivers the ability to safely access information in apps like Gmail, Calendar, and Google Home while driving. The update represents a significant step in Google’s effort to make the in-car AI experience as capable and natural as the AI experiences available on other devices. Once upgraded, users can access Gemini by saying “Hey Google,” tapping the mic on the home screen, or using their steering wheel button.
KEY QUOTES:
“Say goodbye to rigid voice commands. You can have a natural conversation with Gemini, hands-free.”
Google statement
