Volvo Cars and Google marked a historic step change in how drivers interact with their cars, as Google Gemini begins rolling out to Volvo cars.
Moving beyond fixed voice commands, Gemini introduces an intuitive, intent-based experience where the car can understand natural conversation, context and the driver’s needs. This makes life on the road easier and more enjoyable.
The rollout begins with a first wave of customers in the United States, before scaling across the country and into additional markets in the weeks ahead. Drivers of Volvo cars dating back to 2020 will be among the first to experience Google’s next-generation AI assistant.
A more natural way to interact
But what does this look like in the real world?
- Plan a trip and learn about your destination: Gemini helps you make the most of every journey. You can say, “Hey Google, can you help us brainstorm a warm, adventurous family holiday without a long flight?” If a suggestion sparks your interest, you can dive deeper with follow‑up questions to find family‑friendly activities near your destination.
- Find the ultimate pit stop: Whether you’re craving a specific snack or a highly rated meal, Gemini uses Google Maps to find exactly what you need. Ask, “Hey Google, find a place on my route that sells croissants,” and follow up with questions like, “What are the reviews like?” or “Is there easy parking?” – so you can choose your stop with confidence.”
- Stay on top of your messages: You can ask Gemini to summarise incoming texts or send a complex message like: “Hey Google, message Sophie that I’ll be 10 minutes late, and please send it in French since she’s learning.” If your plans change, simply tell Gemini to update the message with your new ETA without starting over.
- Create the perfect vibe: Enjoy a more natural way to control your media. You can get specific with your favourite streaming apps by saying, “Hey Google, play something calming.” Gemini curates the experience to match your exact mood.
Collaborating to push boundaries
In 2025, Google selected Volvo Cars as a lead development partner for new in-car features and updates, giving Volvo Cars a direct role in shaping how new technologies, like Google Gemini, are developed for real-world driving and the Volvo experience.
“At Volvo Cars, we focus on developing human-centric technology that adapts to people, not the other way around,” says Alwin Bakkenes, Head of Global Software Engineering at Volvo Cars. “Bringing Google Gemini into our cars is about making everyday interactions more natural, more helpful and less distracting. It pushes the boundaries on what is possible inside a Volvo.”
“We’re excited to show how Google Gemini can elevate the quality of life of Volvo drivers,” says Patrick Brady, Vice President of Android for Cars, Google. “Drivers will enjoy cutting-edge AI that reduces complexity, keeps their attention where it matters most, and makes every drive a little easier.”
Through over-the-air updates, Volvo Cars is bringing new software experiences to cars already on the road. In March 2026, Volvo Cars launched one of the most comprehensive infotainment updates by any car maker to date, beginning the rollout of Volvo Car UX – a more intuitive user experience – to millions of customers worldwide.
