- General Motors will add an AI assistant based on Google’s Gemini to some cars from model year 2022 onward.
The newest trend in the automotive industry is AI-powered voice assistants. Luxury automakers from BMW to Rivian have begun adding voice assistants powered by large language models to their cars.
The systems let you have a casual conversation with your car and, in some cases, let the assistant change car settings like entertainment volume or cabin temperature.
You don’t even have to buy a new car to get one. General Motors announced this week that it will upgrade the voice command systems in about 4 million cars already sitting in owners’ driveways to use Google’s Gemini model.
“Gemini will roll out soon to model year 2022 and newer Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles with Google built-in,” the company says. That doesn’t include every GM car from model year 2022 or later, but covers many of them. There will be no charge for the upgrade.
The rollout follows a similar one by Volvo in March.
It Will Answer Your Questions, but Not Change Temperature or Drive Mode
- GM’s upgrade will not control many in-car features
The company says owners will be able to “ask for music that fits your mood, your scenery, or the length of your trip. Talk to Gemini about the skyline as you drive past it. You can debate big ideas, explore random curiosities, and even send texts translated in different languages — all while keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
This integration lets the AI assistant control streaming audio, but no other functions of the car itself. As automakers explore deeper AI connections, assistants will gain the ability to control elements of the car on command. Volvo claims the version on its upcoming EX60 will even control the car’s cameras.
GM hasn’t said when the rollout will end, only that it “will be delivered over several months. When the upgrade is ready for your vehicle, you’ll see a message on your infotainment screen.”
To get it, ensure your car is connected to OnStar and signed in to the Google Play Store. You’ll need to opt into Gemini and select English as your assistant language.
