Latest news with #Bakkenes
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Volvo to integrate Google Gemini AI in its cars. Designed for more natural conversation
Google's Gemini AI will replace Assistant in Volvo cars, enhancing voice interactions and reducing driver distraction. Google Gemini will be replacing the current Google Assistant, which comes with Volvo's Android Auto UI. Check Offers The race to redefine in-car technology has intensified and Google is stepping up to maintain its lead. Just a few days after Apple grabbed headlines with its upgraded CarPlay Ultra system in collaboration with Aston Martin, Google has now announced a major advancement of its own, integrating its AI-powered voice assistant, Gemini, into Volvo's product lineup. Starting later this year, Volvo vehicles running Android Automotive will receive a significant upgrade, replacing Google Assistant with Google Gemini. This will mark a new chapter in Google's collaboration with the Swedish automaker, which has been using Android Automotive as standard software in all new models. Also Read : Apple CarPlay Ultra debuts in Aston Martin DBX 707. Now gets multi-screen support Smarter, more natural voice interactions Gemini, already available on Android smartphones, is designed to enable more intuitive and conversational voice commands. Volvo drivers will be able to interact with their car in more natural language, whether it's pulling information from the digital owner's manual, finding a nearby restaurant or planning a trip. The AI assistant goes beyond standard tasks like navigation and music control. Gemini can compose and translate messages, look up recipes and even build a shopping list, all while keeping drivers' hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Volvo says the enhanced conversational ability of Gemini will help reduce the mental load on drivers. 'Reducing your cognitive load so that you can stay focused on driving" is central to the company's vision of safety and user-friendly tech. Also Read : Don't point your smartphone camera at Volvo EV90. Here's why Volvo at forefront of Google's automotive plans In a move that positions Volvo as a key tech player in the automotive space, the company will now serve as Google's lead development partner for Android Automotive. This means new features and operating system updates — like the jump from Android 13 to Android 15 — will debut in Volvo vehicles first. Android 15, which only recently became available for mobile devices, is expected to roll out to Volvo cars later this year. Other carmakers using Android Automotive may have to wait up to two years for the same upgrade, according to Volvo's global software head Alwin Bakkenes. 'We strive to deliver human-centric technology, and a stunning customer experience is an essential part of this," Bakkenes told Reuters. 'With our expanding partnership, we're collaborating on cutting-edge solutions that shape the future of connected cars." Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 24 May 2025, 08:48 AM IST
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Volvo Cars expands collaboration with Google to develop Android software for smarter driving
Listen to article Volvo Cars will become the lead development partner for Android Automotive, allowing it to deploy the latest versions of Google's operating system faster than industry rivals, the companies said on Wednesday. Announced at Google's I/O developer conference in California, the partnership will see Volvo's flagship EX90 electric SUV ship later this year with Android 15 — the latest version of Google's mobile OS. Other automakers often wait up to two years for similar updates. 'We're going to be able to be fast in bringing new capabilities, new features and new experiences to our customers,' said Alwin Bakkenes, Volvo's head of global software engineering. Volvo currently runs Android 13 across its vehicles, but the upgraded collaboration means Google engineers will now test new software directly in Volvo cars, helping them evaluate user experiences in real-world conditions. 'This really gives us an edge in building fantastic customer experiences,' Bakkenes said. As part of the announcement, Google also confirmed that its new Gemini artificial intelligence model will soon power in-car interactions across Android Auto and vehicles with Google built-in — including Volvo models. Unlike standard voice assistants, Gemini will enable more natural conversations while driving. Instead of issuing fixed commands, drivers can simply speak in a conversational tone to find the best route, check for stops along the way, or request summaries of unread messages. 'For example, Gemini can find you a charging station on the way to the post office that's also near a park, so you can go for a walk while your car is charging,' Google said. Gemini will also offer features like real-time news briefings, book synopses for book club commutes, and even language translation in replies to messages — all without drivers having to touch their screens. Bakkenes said such hands-free experiences are essential for safety and comfort: 'This creates a human-centric experience.' The AI model will first become available in Android Auto in the coming months, with a broader rollout to cars with Google built-in to follow. Volvo and Google have worked together for over a decade, but this deeper collaboration signals a turning point in the convergence of automotive and mobile technologies — with Volvo now positioned at the forefront of in-car software innovation.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Volvo leads with Android 15 and Gemini AI thanks to Google partnership
Volvo leads with Android 15 and Gemini AI thanks to Google partnership Show Caption Hide Caption Chinese EV battery maker shows new tech US consumers can't buy At the Shanghai Auto Show, Chinese EV battery giant CATL revealed new technologies, but none are likely to reach US consumers anytime soon. Straight Arrow News Volvo Cars and Alphabet's Google said on Wednesday the Swedish carmaker was now the lead development partner for Android automotive software, which should give its buyers access to new versions long before they are available via car industry rivals. "We're going to be able to be fast in bringing new capabilities, new features and new experiences to our customers," Alwin Bakkenes, Volvo's head of global software engineering, told Reuters. "This really gives us an edge in building fantastic customer experiences." The two companies have been working together for a decade, but the deeper partnership means Google GOOGL.O engineers will drive Volvo cars with the latest software to "experience how their product behaves in a real context much earlier and much faster", Bakkenes said. Automotive technology: Apple is giving CarPlay a major upgrade. Here's which brands are getting it first He said on average the auto industry was about two Android releases behind mobile phones, which "means things you can do on your mobile phone, in many cases you cannot do in the car". Volvo vehicles currently operate using Android 13, but at Google's I/O annual developer conference underway in Mountain View, California, the two companies are demonstrating Volvo's flagship EX90 electric SUV running on Android 15 - the latest version of Google's mobile operating system - which will roll out in production models later this year. "Others might have to wait two years to get" that latest version of Android, Bakkenes said. At the I/O conference the two companies also demonstrated Google's Gemini artificial intelligence model running in the EX90, which Volvo is going to roll out to cars with Google built-in. Bakkenes said rather than drivers having to search through their phones for their destination, they can ask Gemini to search their emails or messages for it. Or drivers can, for instance, ask Gemini to find recipes and then put a shopping list on their phone to create "a human-centric experience", Bakkenes said. Reporting by Nick Carey; Editing by Mark Potter
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Google, Volvo Cars deepen partnership to develop Android software for vehicles
By Nick Carey (Reuters) -Volvo Cars and Alphabet's Google said on Wednesday the Swedish carmaker was now the lead development partner for Android automotive software, which should give its buyers access to new versions long before they are available via car industry rivals. "We're going to be able to be fast in bringing new capabilities, new features and new experiences to our customers," Alwin Bakkenes, Volvo's head of global software engineering, told Reuters. "This really gives us an edge in building fantastic customer experiences." The two companies have been working together for a decade, but the deeper partnership means Google engineers will drive Volvo cars with the latest software to "experience how their product behaves in a real context much earlier and much faster", Bakkenes said. He said on average the auto industry was about two Android releases behind mobile phones, which "means things you can do on your mobile phone, in many cases you cannot do in the car". Volvo vehicles currently operate using Android 13, but at Google's I/O annual developer conference underway in Mountain View, California, the two companies are demonstrating Volvo's flagship EX90 electric SUV running on Android 15 - the latest version of Google's mobile operating system - which will roll out in production models later this year. "Others might have to wait two years to get" that latest version of Android, Bakkenes said. At the I/O conference the two companies also demonstrated Google's Gemini artificial intelligence model running in the EX90, which Volvo is going to roll out to cars with Google built-in. Bakkenes said rather than drivers having to search through their phones for their destination, they can ask Gemini to search their emails or messages for it. Or drivers can, for instance, ask Gemini to find recipes and then put a shopping list on their phone to create "a human-centric experience", Bakkenes said. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TimesLIVE
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Google, Volvo deepen partnership to develop Android software for vehicles
Volvo Cars and Alphabet's Google said on Wednesday the Swedish carmaker is now the lead development partner for Android automotive software, which should give its buyers access to new versions long before they are available via car industry rivals. 'We're going to be able to be fast in bringing new capabilities, new features and new experiences to our customers,' Alwin Bakkenes, Volvo's head of global software engineering, told Reuters. 'This gives us an edge in building fantastic customer experiences.' The two companies have been working together for a decade, but the deeper partnership means Google engineers will drive Volvo cars with the latest software to 'experience how their product behaves in a real context much earlier and much faster', Bakkenes said. On average, the car industry is about two Android releases behind mobile phones, which 'means things you can do on your mobile phone, in many cases you cannot do in the car'. Volvo vehicles operate using Android 13, but at Google's I/O annual developer conference under way in Mountain View, California, the two companies are demonstrating Volvo's flagship EX90 electric SUV running on Android 15 — the latest version of Google's mobile operating system — which will roll out in production models later this year. Others might have to wait two years to get that latest version of Android, Bakkenes said. At the I/O conference the two companies also demonstrated Google's Gemini artificial intelligence model running in the EX90, which Volvo is going to roll out to cars with Google built-in. Bakkenes said rather than drivers having to search through their phones for their destination, they can ask Gemini to search their emails or messages for it. Or drivers can, for example, ask Gemini to find recipes and then put a shopping list on their phone to create 'a human-centric experience', Bakkenes said.
