GM to Integrate Google Gemini AI Assistant in Vehicles, Plans to Phase Out Android Auto and CarPlay

GM is bringing Google Gemini-powered AI assistant to cars in 2026 | TechCrunch

General Motors will add a conversational AI assistant powered by Google Gemini to its cars, trucks, and SUVs starting next year, the U.S. automaker said Wednesday during an event in New York City. The Google Gemini rollout is one of several tech-centric announcements made at the automaker's GM Forward event, and it will be one of the first to get into consumers' hands. Others, including an overhaul of its electrical architecture and computing platform and an automated driving feature that allows drivers to keep their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road, aren't coming to GM brands until 2028. GM is the latest automaker to lean into generative AI-based assistants that promise to respond to driver requests in a more natural-sounding way. Stellantis is collaborating with French AI firm Mistral, Mercedes is integrating ChatGPT, and Tesla has brought xAI's Grok to its vehicles. GM's integration with Gemini is the next logical step for the automaker. Vehicles produced by GM brands Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC already have "Google built-in," an operating system that gives drivers access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and other apps directly from the car's infotainment screen. In 2023, Google began using Google Cloud's Dialogflow chatbot to handle non-emergency OnStar features, including common driver queries like routing and navigation assistance. It's not entirely clear how much more capable GM's Gemini-powered AI assistant will be. GM provided few details, only saying that it will have more "natural conversations" and allow drivers to draft and send messages, plan routes with additional stops (like a charging station or a favorite coffee shop), "or even prep for a meeting on the go." TechCrunch has reached out for clarification. GM's new voice assistant is a step towards the automaker's goal of developing its own custom-built AI that connects to your vehicle's systems through OnStar, GM's in-car concierge. The way GM executives described the technology at the NYC event, it seems like a mix of a health wearable and an AI pendant, but for your car. The assistant promises to access vehicle data to provide maintenance alerts and route suggestions, explain car features like one-pedal driving, and turn your heat or air conditioning on before you enter the vehicle. GM says you'll control what information it can access and use, and it can learn from your habits to offer personalized recommendations. GM's emphasis on user controls is notable given the company's recent controversy over selling customer driving and geolocation data to insurance brokers.

Google Gemini will arrive in GM cars starting next year

Google Gemini is coming to GM vehicles in 2026. The company will be integrating a conversational AI assistant powered by Google's platform into many of its cars, trucks and SUVs. GM says this assistant will be able to access vehicle data to suss out maintenance concerns, alerting the driver when necessary. The company also promises it'll be able to help plan routes and explain various features of the car. It should also be able to do stuff like turn on the heat or air conditioning, even before entering the vehicle. This will replace the "Google built-in" operating system that already exists in many GM vehicles. This OS already offers access to stuff like Google Maps, Google Assistant and related apps. The upcoming Gemini-based chat assistant will do the same type of things, but it should perform better. "One of the challenges with current voice assistants is that, if you've used the, you've probably also been frustrated by them because they're trained on certain code words or they don't understand accents very well or if you don't say it quite right, you don't get the right response," GM VP Dave Richardson told TechCrunch. "What's great about large language models is they don't seem to be affected by that." One brand-new feature that Gemini will bring to the table is web integration. This will let drivers ask the chatbot questions pertaining to geographic location and the like. GM gives an example of someone asking about the history of a bridge they are passing over. The Gemini assistant will be available via the Play Store after launch as an over-the-air upgrade to Onstar-equipped vehicles. It won't be limited to newer releases, as GM says it'll work with vehicles from the model year 2015 and above. The company also says it's working on its own AI chatbot that has been "custom-built for your vehicle." There's no timetable on that one. GM ran into hot water recently when it was found that it had been selling some customer information sourced from its OnStar Smart Driver program to insurance companies without user consent. This led to the FTC banning the company from selling any driver data for five years. Richardson says the Gemini integration will be privacy-focused and the software will let drivers control what information it can access and use. The company made these announcements at the GM Forward media event, where it also discussed other forthcoming initiatives. It has scheduled a rollout of its self-driving platform for 2028. It's also developing its own computing platform, also launching in 2028. This does mean that GM will be sunsetting integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This software will be phased out over the next few years.

GM is dropping Android Auto to make way for Gemini

GM will also test other AI models from firms like OpenAI and Anthropic, while keeping user data private. General Motors is taking another major step away from smartphone projection systems. Having previously dropped support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay across its EVs, the automaker has now confirmed that it will also ditch support for these technologies in its future gas-powered models. Instead, the company is developing a centralized computing platform that will serve as the backbone of its next-generation in-car software. At the heart of this system will be Google's Gemini.

GM is bringing a new Gemini-powered assistant to it cars next year

Detroit-based automotive giant General Motors just dropped big news. During its GM Forward event earlier today, the automotive manufacturing company announced that it will begin integrating a Google Gemini-powered AI assistant into its vehicles. As highlighted by TechCrunch, the rollout will begin next year, and will likely first reach vehicles produced by GM that already have Google built-in. This includes the likes of Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC. This means that starting next year, select drivers will be able to have natural-sounding conversations with their car's infotainment system, likely with better integration with other Google apps like Google Maps. "One of the challenges with current voice assistants is that, if you've used the, you've probably also been frustrated by them because they're trained on certain code words or they don't understand accents very well or if you don't say it quite right, you don't get the right response," said Dave Richardson, GM's senior VP of software and services. "What's great about large language models is they don't seem to be affected by that. They have context about previous conversations that they can bring up. They're flexible in how you speak to them...so overall you're getting a better, more natural experience." Expect an OTA update It's worth noting that this isn't just Gemini being integrated into Android Auto. It's GM baking a Gemini-powered assistant into its cars' operating systems. This should allow Gemini to control native vehicle systems, including air conditioning, maintenance alerts, car windows, and more. Additionally, the integration will also bring web access to the AI tool, allowing you to ask spontaneous questions like "What's the history of this bridge I'm driving over?" The new AI assistant will land as an over-the-air upgrade via the Google Play Store on OnStar-equipped vehicles released in 2015 and later. Additionally, regardless of the arrival of Google's tech, GM will still explore other options, including foundational models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and more. More information is expected closer to the new AI assistant's arrival on GM-made vehicles next year.

GM will ditch Android Auto and CarPlay from more cars, but not the one you're driving today [U]

GM continues its crusade of removing Android Auto and CarPlay from its vehicles, and that's now going to include future gas vehicles instead of just EVs, while the carmaker is also building out a Gemini-powered assistant. GM today announced that future vehicles under the Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC brands will feature a new AI voice assistant powered by Google Gemini. There aren't a ton of details on this experience yet beyond it supporting "natural conversations" that can integrate both with phone-based services like messages as well as features of the car such as navigation. It would feature access to vehicle data, meaning the assistant would be able to provide more native and personalized information. GM explains: Beginning next year, GM vehicles will feature conversational AI with Google Gemini, making it possible to talk to your car as naturally as you would to a fellow passenger. In the future, GM will introduce its own AI, custom-built for your vehicle. With your permission, it will be fine-tuned with your vehicle's intelligence and your personal preferences, all connected by OnStar. This could include explaining one-pedal driving in your new vehicle, spotting a maintenance issue early, or finding the perfect place for dinner en route to your destination. That's set to arrive sometime next year, but also in the pipeline is a further war on phone-projection systems like Android Auto and CarPlay. In an interview with The Verge, GM's Mary Barra and Sterling Anderson engage in yet another discussion about GM's support, or lack thereof, for Android Auto and CarPlay. GM ripped out this functionality on EVs in recent years, and it seems future gas-powered vehicles are next in line. When asked why GM's gas-powered vehicles don't remove Android Auto and CarPlay, Barra said that it "depends on when you do an update to that vehicle," referring to an overhaul of the vehicles' software stack. Directly asked if "we should expect new gas cars will not have smartphone projection," Barra replied that "that's the right expectation" as GM's new software gets to a "major rollout." The whole interview is an interesting listen - including a bizarre comparison that tries to say phone-projection a car doesn't make sense for the same reason you wouldn't use phone-mirroring apps on a laptop - but we've time-coded the YouTube embed below to the relevant discussion about CarPlay (and, by extension, Android Auto). Update: Speaking to our sister site 9to5Mac, GM clarifies that Android Auto and CarPlay will not be removed from existing vehicles, not that anyone really thought that was on the table to begin with.

Google Gemini AI will soon make your GM car smarter than ever

General Motors is shifting into the AI fast lane, bringing Google's conversational Gemini assistant to its cars in 2026. What's happened? General Motors is shifting gears toward the future of driving with a wave of AI-powered innovations set to roll out over the next few years. Starting in 2026, GM will introduce a conversational AI assistant for its vehicles, powered by Google's Gemini. The goal? To transform cars from simple modes of transport into proactive digital companions. Also in development is an advanced "eyes-off, hands-off" driving system, slated for release in 2028. This next-generation driver-assistance feature will utilize LiDAR, radar, and cameras to track the vehicle's relative position, enabling drivers to take their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel under certain highway conditions. Why is this important? GM isn't stopping with Gemini. It's also building a centralized computing platform to eventually develop its own proprietary AI systems beyond Google's technology. We've already seen Gemini's capabilities in action on the Mercedes CLA, where it can handle natural conversations, follow-up questions, and requests, all without interacting with the infotainment screen. From navigating to an address to finding popular restaurants and even calling ahead to book a table, the assistant is designed to provide seamless support. The idea is to provide a unified Gemini experience across Android phones and the Android Auto car infotainment system. Why should I care? Meanwhile, the next-generation driver assistance system is set to debut on the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ electric SUV, a significant leap from GM's existing Super Cruise hands-free system. For drivers and passengers, these innovations mean safer, more relaxed, and more informed driving experiences. Conversational AI will make interacting with the car as easy as talking to a passenger for managing navigation, media, communication, and vehicle controls. On the other hand, "eyes-off, hands-off" is a step toward Level 3 autonomous driving assistance features, allowing you to rest between busy sections on a highway. OK, what's next? GM has ambitious plans to integrate AI and advanced driving automation features into its vehicles, but the automaker isn't in a rush to implement them. The company will begin integrating the tried-and-tested Gemini AI assistant into its cars next year, followed by the "eyes-off, hands-off" feature in 2028 (at a faster pace than Super Cruise), and eventually, its own AI that can be customized to each vehicle and driver.

GM to integrate Google Gemini AI in vehicles starting 2026

General Motors announced at its GM Forward media event that it will integrate Google's Gemini AI into its vehicles starting in 2026. The integration will create an advanced conversational assistant for the company's cars, trucks, and SUVs, replacing its current system. The Gemini-powered system is set to replace the existing "Google built-in" operating system, which currently provides access to applications like Google Maps and Google Assistant. The new AI assistant will be able to access vehicle data to identify and report potential maintenance issues directly to the driver. Its functions also include assisting with route planning and explaining the operation of various vehicle features upon request. A key capability is remote vehicle control, which will allow a driver to activate the heating or air conditioning systems before entering the car. This upgrade is intended to address common user frustrations associated with existing voice command technology. GM Vice President Dave Richardson explained the advantage of the new platform. "One of the challenges with current voice assistants is that, if you've used the...you've probably also been frustrated by them because they're trained on certain code words or they don't understand accents very well or if you don't say it quite right, you don't get the right response," Richardson stated. He added, "What's great about large language models is they don't seem to be affected by that." A distinct feature enabled by the Gemini AI will be web integration, allowing the chatbot to answer real-time, location-based questions. GM offered an example of a driver asking for the history of a bridge they are currently crossing. Following its launch, the assistant will be available via the Play Store as an over-the-air upgrade. This update will be accessible to OnStar-equipped vehicles, including a wide range of models dating back to the 2015 model year. This initiative follows a recent Federal Trade Commission action that banned GM from selling OnStar Smart Driver program data to insurance companies without explicit user consent for five years. Richardson affirmed that the Gemini software will be privacy-focused, granting drivers specific controls over what information the system can access and utilize. In addition to the partnership with Google, GM is concurrently developing its own proprietary AI chatbot that has been "custom-built for your vehicle," though a release date has not been announced for this separate project. The GM Forward event also served to announce other long-term company initiatives. General Motors plans to roll out its proprietary self-driving platform in 2028. This timeline coincides with the planned launch of its own in-house computing platform. As part of this broader technological strategy, GM will phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration from its vehicle lineup over the next few years.