Gemini AI is coming to millions of cars to be your road trip companion

Google is bringing AI conversations to drivers in 45 countries with an update Android Auto He adds Gemini program As a passenger. The ambitious global rollout of pneumatic The technology for a potential 250 million cars equipped with Android Auto software will be available to those who have upgraded Google Assistant to Gemini AI on their phone.

Once enabled, Google Gemini will be able to engage in hands-free conversations with drivers who want to do things like get recommendations for activities at their destination, sort emails, or create and edit texts while driving.

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In a blog post, the company presented five ways to use the new features. This includes requesting recommended stops while on the road, composing or editing messages (including translations for 40 languages), looking up things in your Gmail inbox or Google Calendar, creating music playlists and rehearsing a speech on the way to a wedding, for example.

Whether a Good idea Doing these things at highway speeds is a separate discussion. Although the features are hands-free, Google doesn’t address the distraction of, say, creating a playlist during a conversation while driving on the highway.

A spokesperson told CNET that Google will release research addressing safety concerns around hands-free technology, but did not specify a time frame.

“Our automotive products are designed and built on safety principles grounded in government and industry distraction guidelines, as well as our deep research,” said Greg Fitch, head of safety and user experience at Android for Cars.

“We have extensively tested Gemini’s impact on the driving experience, both in the laboratory and on the road,” Fitch said. “With the completion of rigorous third-party testing, we are preparing to publish our results.”

How Gemini works in Android Auto

Google says accessing Gemini happens when you say “Hey Google,” press Android Auto’s microphone button, or long-press the voice control button if your steering wheel has one.

Google says it will add more features and capabilities in the future. Currently, the Gemini update can access information from Google Calendar, Google Tasks, Google Keep, Samsung Calendar, Samsung Reminder, and Samsung Notes, with additional support for third-party apps expected in the future.