Google and Mercedes Unveil In-Car Gemini AI Capabilities
▼ Summary
– Google and Mercedes demonstrated Gemini’s conversational AI integration in the Mercedes CLA through a video featuring executives Magnus Östberg and Steve Basra.
– The Gemini-powered MBUX Virtual Assistant enables natural, context-aware conversations, understanding follow-up questions without requiring console interaction.
– The system seamlessly integrates with Google Maps to provide precise navigation and business information like nearby coffee shops and restaurant details.
– The Mercedes CLA will be the first production vehicle to feature this technology, launching in the US before the end of 2025.
– While Gemini was announced for Android Auto and cars with Google built-in, its rollout timeline remains unclear and may follow the Mercedes CLA debut.
The automotive world is witnessing a significant leap forward as Google and Mercedes-Benz join forces to integrate the advanced Gemini AI directly into vehicle infotainment systems. This collaboration promises to transform how drivers interact with their cars, moving beyond simple voice commands to genuine conversational assistance. A new demonstration video provides the first real look at this technology in action, showcasing its potential to make every journey more intuitive and connected.
Mercedes’ Chief Software Officer, Magnus Östberg, and Google Cloud’s Head of Automotive, Steve Basra, recently took a prototype of the new Mercedes CLA for a spin around Google’s campus. The video highlights their interactions with the Gemini-powered MBUX Virtual Assistant, which behaves far more naturally than previous voice assistants. The system’s ability to understand context and handle follow-up questions marks a substantial upgrade, eliminating the need for drivers to repeat themselves or touch the screen while driving.
During the demonstration, Östberg begins by asking the car for directions to a specific location. He then seamlessly follows up by inquiring about nearby coffee shops. The assistant not only displays a list of options but also recommends a particular cafe. When Östberg asks if that specific shop serves pastries, the system instantly provides a correct answer, pulling detailed business information directly from Google Maps. This fluid back-and-forth mirrors the experience of using Gemini Live on a smartphone, creating a surprisingly human-like dialogue.
Later, Steve Basra gets involved by requesting the assistant find an Italian restaurant and check if it boasts a good wine list. The system goes a step further by offering to call the restaurant directly, allowing Basra to inquire about their selection. This action demonstrates the assistant’s proactive nature and its capacity to manage multi-step, conversational tasks that feel entirely natural.
The new Mercedes CLA is set to become the first production car equipped with this specific Gemini AI integration, with its launch in the United States scheduled before the close of 2025. This development follows the initial partnership announcement made by Mercedes-Benz and Google Cloud back in January, which outlined their intention to bring conversational AI to the brand’s vehicles.
This raises questions about the broader rollout of Gemini across other platforms. Earlier this year, Google announced plans to bring Gemini to both Android Auto and cars with Google built-in, suggesting a rollout would happen “in the coming months” for some vehicles. Models like the new Lincoln Nautilus, Renault R5, and Honda Passport were mentioned. However, this wider deployment has yet to materialize. Observers noted in July that Android Auto had begun quietly replacing references to “Google Assistant” with Gemini branding, signaling the ongoing transition within Google’s ecosystem. Despite these signs, a definitive public timeline for Gemini’s arrival on Android Auto or other built-in systems remains unclear. It is plausible that the technology will debut in the Mercedes CLA before expanding to other vehicles and platforms.
(Source: Android Authority)
