Android Auto Is Getting Gemini, Google’s AI Assistant

• Google Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on Android Auto.
• The new AI-powered assistant is rolling out globally in 45 languages.
• It can translate messages, search for hotel reservations, find restaurants based on filters, and more.

The aging and not necessarily helpful Google Assistant is getting the cold shoulder. Google is gradually replacing it with Gemini, its latest and greatest artificial intelligence assistant. Now, Gemini will take Google Assistant’s place in Android Auto, with over 250 million cars around the world set to benefit from the change.

As long as the driver has upgraded from Google Assistant to Gemini on their Android phone, the new AI-enabled assistant will also make an appearance when Android Auto fires up in their car. Google said Gemini for Android Auto is rolling out globally in 45 languages, and that’s a pretty big deal.

The old Google Assistant set a pretty low bar for in-car voice interactions. It could set destinations in Google Maps, play songs and tweak some settings, but that’s about it. Now, though, Gemini is kicking things into a completely different space, as it is capable of having proper conversations.

In the promotional video released yesterday, Google claims that Gemini in Android Auto can search for addresses in emails, which can then be set as destinations in Google Maps. Drivers can also search for specific places to navigate to, like pizzerias that are known for their special sauces, or flower shops that sell a specific type of flower.

What’s more, the AI assistant should be able to find EV charging stations from a specific operator, and the driver can specify that they don’t want to wait in line. Gemini can also summarize a group chat and then send a reply to that chat. Moreover, it can also translate messages to and from other languages on the fly.

Google’s new AI assistant can scrub data from Google Calendar, Google Tasks, Google Keep, Samsung Calendar, Samsung Reminder and Samsung Notes, but more third-party apps will be supported in the future.

Recently, a few Gemini-powered features were added to the Google Maps app, so even if you don’t use Android Auto, you can still ask the app complex questions and then follow up for more information. Besides getting baked into Android smartphones, Google’s Gemini AI assistant will also be integrated in cars that have Android Automotive OS-based infotainment systems, with Volvo and Polestar first in line to get it.