Gemini AI is coming to Android Auto

Cars have been computers on four wheels for some time, but Google has now equipped them with artificial intelligence, and we can expect other language models to be available behind the wheel soon.

System users Android Auto can now use the Gemini AI assistant, giving drivers access to a “truly conversational” voice assistant that helps with navigation, messaging, and tasks. With Gemini, you can “speak naturally, talk about everything, and even perform more complex tasks,” says Guemmy Kim, senior director of product and user experience for Android for Cars.

Users must first install the Gemini app on their Android phone, which will then appear on the car's display when using Android Auto. The assistant can be activated by saying "Hey Google," by tapping the microphone icon on the screen, or by long-pressing the voice control button on the steering wheel.

Of course, Gemini will not be available in Apple CarPlay.

Google has been integrating Gemini into almost all of its platforms for months, from Chrome and Google Maps to Nest and Google Home devices. Android Auto is one of the first attempts to bring the AI assistant into the world of driving. Polestar has already announced that it will also be adding Gemini to its fleet of electric vehicles.

According to Google, Gemini is a big step forward from the current generation of voice assistants. With it, you can find restaurants that specialize in a particular food, send a message to your friends with an estimated arrival time and an emoji, check your calendar, create a to-do list, or pull up an important email address. But best of all, you can do all of this while keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Google says Gemini can also do simple chats if you want company while you drive. Kim explains that it can help you “learn something new, develop ideas, practice important presentations, and more. All in one seamless conversation.”

Will this really help drivers stay focused, or is it a new form of distraction? Early research suggests that voice assistants while driving are associated with “moderate, but not high, levels of cognitive load.” We often assume that any solution that prevents looking at your phone is an improvement, but that’s not necessarily true. More research will be needed, especially as tech companies rush to introduce powerful AI assistants into the in-car experience.