Google Previews UI, Navigation, Gemini Updates for Android Auto, Cars With Google Built-In

Google has announced several new features coming to Android 17 at its Android Show event, held right before its annual Google I/O developer conference. Among the big reveals were new capabilities and designs for Android Auto as well as cars running Google Built-In natively on their infotainment systems (also known as Android Automotive).

The in-car experience is set to get a major overhaul. In terms of the primary user interface, Android Auto will be able to scale to screens of all shapes and sizes including extra-wide rectangles, circles, and even irregular shapes. Google maps can scale to occupy the entire screen, even as a background with other apps or UI elements active.

The entire UI gets a visual update with animations and typography based on Google’s Material 3 Expressive design language, to look more cohesive with today’s Android smartphones. Users can also set up widgets for at-a-glance information and quick access to a specific contact, weather, photos, or even a garage opener.

Gemini Intelligence, Google’s agentic AI tool, is coming to Android Auto as well as other Google platforms later this year. This will give users seamless continuity across tasks even when driving, such as being able to retrieve information from emails or calendar appointments and take actions based on context.

Google first announced Immersive Navigation in March, which will show rich 3D views including terrain, buildings, lane indicators, and guides for tricky intersections. This will roll out as part of the major Android 17 overhaul.

The company is also taking advantage of the large screens and cinematic audio systems in today’s luxury cars, with support for 60fps full-HD video in apps including YouTube. While Google specifies that video will be supported only when a vehicle is parked or charging, it’s most likely to be appreciated by rear-seat passengers. Manufacturers that will support this feature include Mahindra, Tata, BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, and Volvo.

Immersive spatial sound with Dolby Atmos is also coming to cars from Mahindra, Tata, BMW, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, and Volvo. For safety, video can continue to play as audio-only when a car is in motion, which could be useful for things like podcasts.

Cars with Google Built-In will also get the same updates, plus the ability to run voice communication apps such as Zoom. Gemini can be integrated with individual cars, to be able to answer specific questions about their features. Google offers examples such as checking what an indicator light means, or whether an object will fit into its trunk. Google Maps will get live lane guidance, using a car’s own cameras to detect your current position.

Google says over 250 million Android Auto-compatible cars are on roads around the world today, with more than 100 models from 16 manufacturers currently on sale. Feature support is likely to vary between models and countries, when these updates begin rolling out later in 2026. Meanwhile, the conversational, hands-free Gemini voice assistant is already rolling out as an upgrade to Google Assistant in cars running Google Built-in worldwide.