If you don’t like the idea of having more artificial intelligence in your car, then this may be unwelcome news
If you drive a Volvo built from 2020 onward and it runs on the Android Automotive operating system, there’s a significant change on the horizon. Over the next few months, Volvo will begin pushing out a major over-the-air software update to eligible vehicles, upgrading their infotainment interface to match what you’ll find in the EX30, EX60, and EX90. No dealership visit needed, everything arrives wirelessly.
See: Volvo’s New EX60 Has One Feature Tesla Owners Will Be Jealous Of
The update marks a major step in Volvo’s push to modernize its existing fleet. The company has been working behind the scenes to roll out its latest infotainment experience to older models for quite a while, and now the launch is finally within reach.
Volvo’s chief technology officer, Anders Bell, described it as “one of the biggest over-the-air updates in the history of the world,” a sweeping effort that will touch roughly 2.5 million vehicles worldwide.
Gemini Comes Built In
Not only will the update give older Volvo models essentially the same interface as brand new ones, despite featuring five-year-old hardware, but the update will also see the old Google Assistant replaced with Google Gemini. Bell noted that some minor differences will remain, due to variations in chips and the smaller screens found in earlier models.
Read: Google’s Secret Weapon For Cars Is Finally Rolling Out
Google Gemini has already been rolled out to the Android Auto smartphone mirroring function, but in the case of the Volvo models, it will be incorporated directly into the native infotainment system. Gemini is a more conversational AI model that’s capable of natural language tasks. It also includes a Live function, where you can speak with Gemini to learn something new or brainstorm ideas.
According to Volvo, the in-car experience with Gemini should feel intuitive, even while driving. “Gemini in the car can better understand ​what you want while driving through natural conversations​,” Volvo told Autocar. “You can talk naturally to craft messages, translate them into another language before sending, ask questions from the car’s user manual or learn specific details about your destination.”
While we suspect most Volvo owners will be happy to see the latest AI-enabled infotainment system added to their vehicles, those who want to stick with the old one will need to ensure they opt out of over-the-air updates through their vehicle’s settings.
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Brad Anderson’s lifelong affair and fascination with cars started young. Before even graduating high school,… Read full bio

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