Tech companies really seem desperate to get regular people to use generative AI in their daily lives. Google is one of the leaders in this effort, particularly with how its AI product, Gemini, is now featured prominently at the top of its search results. Now, the company is leveraging its connections in the automotive industry to bring Gemini to cars, with Volvo being the first. More will likely follow, and these won’t even be the first cars with generative AI features, since there are already cars available with ChatGPT, a competing company and product, on the market.
What It’s Supposed To Do
According to Volvo, Gemini will basically replace the current Google Assistant voice interface. There are some potential benefits to this. Volvo says that Gemini will be able to understand more phrases that are worded and spoken as if to another person, rather than a computer. That could certainly reduce frustration from misunderstandings or from having to be particularly slow and clear when speaking a command.
Volvo also suggests that the system could look up and provide information about a location when asked, perhaps hours, parking fees and such. That also sounds like a potentially useful feature. We have concerns about accuracy, though, since Gemini and other generative AI programs are known for providing incorrect and sometimes completely made-up information when asked for answers. For instance, as PC Mag highlighted, one of the most publicized AI screw-ups last year was from Google, when its AI was suggesting people put glue on pizza to keep the cheese from sliding off. Beyond those features, the system will function just like most voice-activated assistants, so it can respond to voice commands to make calls and operate infotainment and climate systems.
When It’s Coming
Volvo simply said that it’s coming to its cars later this year. It didn’t say whether certain models would get it first, or even which ones will be able to have it. The EX90 seems a shoo-in, since it was used to demonstrate in-car Gemini at a Google event. We’re also curious if any kind of cost will be involved. There are other car companies offering AI assistants. Volkswagen, for example, has partnered with ChatGPT for similar functionality. VW provides a year of the service for free, but owners will have to pay a subscription fee to continue the service. Additionally, we expect that other car companies will be getting Google Gemini in the near future, since the feature is designed to work with Android Automotive-based infotainment systems. General Motors is one of a few companies that has implemented Android-based systems. Volvo will almost certainly be the first with the feature, and will probably get updates and other features first, though, since Volvo also announced that it will be a lead company for feature development.
Source: Volvo, PC Mag
#Cars #Googles #Gemini
