It seems that two major features are being implemented at launch that are intended to use Gemini to make driving safer. The first is a new text summary feature. Gemini will ‘read’ longer texts sent to you and provide you with a short summary that can be read more easily while driving. “Using the power of AI, Android Auto will automatically summarize long texts or busy group chats while you’re driving, so you can keep in touch while staying focused on the road,” the press release states. In theory, this should make it easier for drivers to communicate on the road since they can communicate without having to read long texts.
The other new feature is generative reply text. Gemini will automatically suggest appropriate replies that drivers can select to send without having to type or dictate anything. It has a few navigation features built-in as well. The AI will make suggestions based on the context of texts you have received and provide suggested actions. You can press a button to navigate to a location mentioned in a text or send a text featuring your estimated time of arrival.
Android closed the press conference by expressing its excitement over these new capabilities and promised that there will be “lots more to come.” Some fans seem excited about these new features, while others would prefer that Android focus on fixing the connection drop issues present in the current version of Android Auto.
