- Gemini will replace Google Assistant in cars with Google built-in.
- The rollout starts in English in the United States before wider expansion.
- Gemini can answer vehicle-specific questions using manufacturer-provided owner’s manuals.
Google is preparing to replace Google Assistant with Gemini in vehicles running Google built-in, promising a more natural, more useful and more car-aware voice assistant.
The upgrade will roll out first in English in the United States before expanding to more markets and languages over time. It will apply not only to new models, but also to eligible existing cars through a software update. So yes, your current infotainment system may soon gain a few more brain cells.
Less command, more conversation
The biggest shift is how drivers talk to the system. Instead of using stiff, exact voice commands, Gemini is designed for more free-flowing requests.
That means drivers can ask for a sit-down restaurant along their route, specify outdoor seating, then follow up with questions about parking or vegetarian options. It can also use Google Maps data to answer live journey questions, such as whether traffic near a stadium is likely to cause delays.
Messaging gets a boost too. Gemini can summarise new texts, help draft replies and amend them without forcing the driver to start again. Music requests can also be more natural, whether that means asking for a jazz radio station or a very specific mood through a streaming app.
Your car, explained by your car
More interestingly, Google says Gemini will be able to draw on manufacturer-provided owner’s manuals for vehicle-specific help.
That could make it easier to answer questions drivers usually forget until mildly annoyed, such as how to prepare for an automatic car wash or how to limit tailgate opening height in a low garage. Availability and depth will vary by brand and model, but the idea is simple: less scrolling through menus, more asking the car directly.
EV drivers will also be able to ask about battery level, expected charge at arrival, nearby chargers and places to stop while charging, with Google Maps helping provide the route and location data.
Gemini Live joins the ride
Google is also bringing Gemini Live, currently in beta, to compatible cars. Activated through the Gemini Live button or by saying, “Hey Google, let's talk”, it enables longer conversations while driving.
Examples include learning about a destination, asking follow-up questions or brainstorming activities during a trip. Used well, it could make long drives more useful. Used badly, it could become the most talkative passenger in the car.
Eligible users signed into their Google Account will see an option to upgrade. Once enabled, Gemini can be accessed by saying “Hey Google”, tapping the home-screen mic or using the steering-wheel voice button. Google says future updates will add more languages, more countries and access to apps including Gmail, Calendar and Google Home.