Volvo Cars announced on Wednesday that it is expanding its partnership with Google while revealing plans to integrate the company’s AI assistant Gemini in its vehicles “later this year.”
Google unveiled this week the latest version of its Android Automotive OS, using the fully electric seven-seater Volvo EX90 as an example.
Gemini, ChatGPT’s direct competitor, will allow drivers to compose and translate messages, query the vehicle’s user manual, and access information about their destination.
Google Assistant relies on structured, command-like inputs, while Gemini can understand and respond to natural, conversational language.
With this integration, Volvo aims to help drivers “stay focused on driving, reducing distractions for everyone onboard.”
“Later this year,” Gemini will replace the current Google Assistant in Volvo vehicles equipped with Google built-in, according to the brand’s statement. On the other hand, drivers that have the Android Auto mirroring app on their phones will get access to Gemini in the coming weeks.
According to the statement, the renewed partnership with Google includes working closely with the brand to test and develop new features before adding them to the main Android system. This means Volvo drivers will gain early access to the latest Android updates.
“For years, Google and Volvo Cars have collaborated closely to bring cutting-edge technology to connected cars,” said Patrick Brady, Vice President of Android for Cars, Google.
The partnership was first announced in May 2017, as Google was developing the next version of its Android-based in-car infotainment and connectivity system. By then, Volvo predicted it to be available in their models “within two years.”
In 2021, it was “the first carmaker to introduce cars with an infotainment system powered by Android Automotive OS with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play built-in.”
Polestar, Volvo‘s former subbrand now backed by China’s Geely Holding Group, was the first company to sell cars with native Android Automotive OS, with its fully electric hatchback, the Polestar 2.
By partnering with Alphabet’s subsidiary, the automaker is “able to bring the very latest features and capabilities from the leading consumer eco-system into our products first,” as stated by Alwin Bakkenes, head of global software engineering at Volvo Cars.
