TL;DR
- Google is expanding Gemini to existing cars with Google built-in, starting with English-speaking users in the US via a software update.
- On cars with Google built-in, Gemini can access the manufacturer-provided owner’s manual to answer specific questions about the car model.
- Gemini can also adjust in-car settings and accept precise and natural language commands to make these adjustments.
Google says the Gemini is coming to existing cars with Google built-in via a software update. The rollout will begin in the US in English and will continue in the coming months.
Eligible users who are signed in to their Google Account in their car will see the option to upgrade to Gemini. Once upgraded, you can access Gemini by saying “Hey Google,” tapping the mic on the home screen, or using your steering wheel button.
In the near future, Google says Gemini will expand to more languages and countries and give drivers the ability to securely access their information in apps like Gmail, Calendar, and Google Home.
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With Gemini, users can be more conversational and vague with their questions, as the AI digital assistant should handle natural language questions better than the existing Google Assistant. Users will be able to use Gemini Live in their cars for even more free-flowing “real conversations” if you want to brainstorm on the go.
However, that’s not all. Since cars with Google built-in run Android Automotive OS as a base, Gemini can also tap into the OS to help you control in-car functions. You can ask questions about your car, and you’ll get answers tailored to your specific car model because Gemini is taken directly from the manufacturer-provided owner’s manual (although Google notes that the availability and details of this information vary by brand and model).
Plus, you can understand your EV’s battery status and what it means for your current drive, allowing you to ask about charger pit stops and re-routing if necessary. For example, you can ask “How much is my battery on arrival” to know the estimated charge level for your travel destination, and then you can ask questions like “Is there a café nearby while I’m charging?”
You can also issue commands like “It’s foggy and cold in here” and Gemini will understand what you mean and turn up the heat and turn on the defroster. Hopefully, it all works as claimed, because AI-based digital assistants have suffered a lot of missteps along the way.
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