Gemini on – In a hands-on Android Auto preview at Google I/O, Google showed off a revamped interface, immersive Google Maps navigation, and Gemini features that can adjust vehicle settings and even use cameras for multimodal help. It looks smoother and more contextual tha
When the Android Auto demo started at Google I/O, it didn’t feel like another software update. It felt like a car UI deciding for itself—then making your regular driving setup look suddenly dated.
Kerry Wan said her first thought after seeing the upcoming Android Auto features was dread about returning to her own car parked “on the other side of the country.” She’s been an Android Auto user for years and. while she describes having only a few connectivity problems. the broader shift toward AI taking over consumer tech is what gave her hope for something bigger.
What she saw wasn’t limited to a prettier interface. In the demo, she sat in a car with the software running and watched Google’s new Android Auto layout come to life—plus a Google Maps presentation that seemed built for real driving moments, not just a quick glance at a screen.
The changes start with how information appears
The demo included Google Maps displayed in a new three-panel layout. There were also smart home controls integrated alongside the map view, and a video player on the dashboard that automatically minimized to audio-only. The car demo was in a Volvo EX60.
Google also showed that the Android Auto interface would allow prompt-generated widgets. In Wan’s demo. a Google employee created a weather widget designed to indicate whether the weather is suitable for running and biking. Wan said she’s more the type of driver who wants quick. practical help—summarizing traffic for her commute and finding a local bakery—but she framed the custom widget idea as the point: drivers can tailor what appears based on what they actually ask for.
She added that elements on the screen felt like they “fit and flow more seamlessly,” with round-edged designs and color theming intended to make the car interface feel closer to an Android tablet than a patchwork of separate apps.
Then comes immersive navigation that’s meant to reduce guesswork
Wan singled out immersive navigation in Google Maps. In the demo, it portrayed buildings, stadiums, hills, and other terrain features in a clearer way, helping drivers and passengers understand what’s ahead.
She said this is especially relevant in New York City, where there are overpasses and tunnels and it can be a struggle to find the right lane for certain turns.
Gemini on Android Auto shifts what the assistant can do
The bigger leap in the demo, though, was the next stage of Gemini on Android Auto.
Wan described her belief in integrating AI with hands-free operating systems such as Android Auto, Google TV, and Android XR. Her view was simple: an assistant is most useful when you don’t have the bandwidth or concentration to handle tasks yourself—typing a next destination. scouting an area. or responding to a notification.
In cars that support Android Automotive—the built-in software—such as the Volvo EX60, Gemini can make vehicle-specific adjustments. Wan’s example was asking Gemini to darken the sunroof or change ambient light colors.
She emphasized that this depends on how well car manufacturers optimize their parts for Android Automotive, meaning results may vary across makes and models.
The demo also showed more advanced hands-free scenarios. Wan said you can prompt Gemini to order delivery on DoorDash and track progress on your phone.
In a more extreme use case, Gemini can tap into the car’s surrounding cameras to handle multimodal queries—for example, identifying surrounding buildings and landmarks. In her demo, Gemini identified the Transamerica Pyramid and even delivered fun facts.
A small detail made the assistant feel more usable
Not all the standout moments were flashy. Wan pointed to what she described as a “very subtle but important detail” during her simulated ride: Gemini’s navigation prompts were more comprehensible than what she’s used to.
She gave a specific example of how directions would be phrased: “turn left at the intersection” rather than “turn left after 0.2 miles.” She suggested that one form is easier to understand while driving.
Where things stand now
Google says the next big Android Auto update—containing most, if not all, of the features announced recently—should roll out in waves later this year.
Wan said she doesn’t expect it to reach her Mazda quickly, and she mentioned that the Assistant-to-Gemini transition hasn’t necessarily been smooth. Still, her hands-on look at I/O was enough to keep her paying attention: the demo showed enough promise to make her look forward instead of look away.
Google I/O Android Auto Gemini Google Maps immersive navigation Android Automotive Volvo EX60 DoorDash multimodal cameras widgets in-car AI