Gemini or Gemini Live may come to Android Auto

AI is the future, and just looking at how Google has been operating over the past few months is enough to draw that conclusion. Google has found ways to squeeze Gemini into every piece of software it controls, and if you watched the Pixel 9 launch event, it was more about Gemini and the software than the phones themselves.

Of all the platforms in Google’s portfolio, however, Android Auto is the one that has somehow managed to remain untainted throughout all this time. That’s only temporary, though, as Google appears to already be working on bringing the AI ​​model to cars.

Google Gemini is now rolling out to Android Auto

Android Auto has somehow managed to avoid Google’s Gemini takeover for so long, saving people in their cars from having to deal with “AI” as much as they do when they’re on their smartphones. But based on an APK teardown by the folks at Android Authority, it really doesn’t seem like that relief will last long. In fact, you could argue that Gemini would have been useful in vehicles much sooner.

In the latest version of the Android Auto app, the now-recognizable Gemini “sparkle” logo was discovered among the APK files, indicating that Google plans to bring Gemini functionality to the app. The icon file name also includes “kitt.” Maybe I’m the only one, but I think this is an obvious reference to KITT from Knight Rider; KITT was, after all, the AI ​​in the car.

Considering that Android Auto exists to help drivers keep their hands off their phones longer and enable more hands-free features, the Gemini seems like a perfect fit for your car. You’ll be able to ask questions, find directions, get recommendations, and more with much greater ease than you can now.

Google could potentially bring Gemini Live to cars

At the same time, it is possible that while Google may introduce Google Gemini to Android Auto, it may also introduce Gemini Live, which is honestly a very exciting prospect. Gemini Live does not require any special hardware to work, so there would certainly be no limitations — just update the software.

The reason it seems like we might be expecting Gemini Live is because the same icon filename that lets us enter “kitt” also has the word “live” right after it. I tried to think of another reason why it could be included in the filename, but I really think this might be the obvious reason — Gemini live.

Honestly, I personally think Gemini Live could be a perfect fit for Android Auto. It’s like having a second person in the car, and that in itself should not only make driving more enjoyable, but potentially make query delivery easier. It doesn’t seem like it’s very close to being released to the public, but there are signs that Google is working on it.