Volvo, Polestar, and General Motors have all recently revealed plans to introduce Google Gemini into their in-car systems. The AI assistant is being rolled out across vehicles equipped with Google built-in, aiming to deliver more conversational interactions and access to vehicle-specific information.
Gemini, Google’s widely promoted AI tool, is designed to move beyond the frustrating voice assistants many drivers have grown tired of. Traditional systems often struggle with simple requests - requiring repeated commands or failing to respond altogether - even for basic tasks like adjusting climate settings or changing radio stations.
In contrast, Gemini promises a more natural, back-and-forth dialogue. According to Google, users can speak casually when searching for things like nearby restaurants. For example, a driver could say they want a relaxed lunch spot with outdoor seating along their route, and the system would pull relevant data - such as ratings and reviews - from Google Maps to suggest options.
Passengers and drivers can also ask follow-up questions, request message summaries, switch music styles, or check EV-related details like battery levels on arrival or estimated charging times.
That said, early reactions haven’t been entirely positive. Browsing Reddit discussions reveals a range of complaints. Some users report that the system feels slow, struggles to interpret voice commands, and doesn’t integrate well with third-party apps. Others find it overly verbose, burying key details - like opening hours - under unnecessary information.
Privacy concerns appear to be the biggest sticking point. Many critics are wary about how driver data might be collected and used.
General Motors, in particular, has faced scrutiny for its infotainment strategy. The company previously removed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its vehicles, opting instead for its own software ecosystem that can directly access vehicle data rather than relying on external platforms.
Skeptics argue this shift is partly driven by the growing value of driver data, which analysts estimate could reach between $300 billion and $800 billion by 2030. Some online commenters have even suggested that data-sharing agreements between tech companies and automakers could be a major factor behind these changes.
Trust issues are further amplified by past controversies, including restrictions placed on GM’s OnStar service regarding the sharing of certain customer data. Meanwhile, other automakers like Stellantis have drawn criticism for introducing in-car advertisements, adding to concerns about how connected car technology is evolving.
Despite the backlash, the integration of large language models into vehicles is still in its early stages. As with most AI technologies, rapid improvements are expected. The experience today may look very different in just a few months as systems become faster, smarter, and more refined.
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