Whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence is taking over much of our world, answering (or rerouting) our phone calls, doing our math, generating ideas, sometimes taking our drive-through voice orders, scheduling our days, fielding an infinite array of (sometimes ridiculous) questions and, for journalists like us, rewriting headlines and checking facts.
Sometimes the experience is surprisingly positive and quick, and other times it’s a true test of patience. Whether you’re speaking to a bot or interacting with one on your smartphone, the words you choose make all the difference.
‘For Everything That Matters’
Cars are increasingly using AI, too, and Volvo is diving deeper into these waters by incorporating Google’s Gemini AI assistant to provide “hands-free control for everything that matters on the road,” when driving the all-new, all-electric EX60 two-row crossover, which will be revealed on Jan. 21.
Today, Volvo is sharing a bit more information about the upcoming EX60 and offering up the teaser image above, showing what appears to be a floating display screen behind which the Google Gemini assistant will reside.
Will EX60 Be First With Google Gemini?
Will the Volvo EX60 be the first production car on the planet using Google Gemini? Volvo’s press release only says the EX60 will be “the first Volvo” to launch with Gemini, so we looked for confirmation, emailing actual humans we have interacted with for years at Volvo PR.
Google told us otherwise. “The Volvo EX60 will be the first car to launch with the Google Gemini AI assistant as a standard feature. Volvo and Google have a long-standing partnership. Volvo was the first to adopt the Android Automotive OS in its vehicles in 2020.”
Volvo And Google Paired Up
I can independently confirm this because I was at the outdoor socially distant COVID briefing and test drive in Ypsilanti, Michigan, for the Polestar 2 (from the Volvo corporate family) more than five years ago, and there was extensive talk about how the new Android operating system would improve the user experience in this four-door EV.
Some Polestar 2 customers found that to be true and appreciated access to Google Maps, for instance. But Google’s AI overview doesn’t sugarcoat it, admitting some customers found the system clunky, and many customers missed access to Android Auto, which they’d just gotten used to in accessing their familiar phone capabilities while driving.
Customers Are The Gemini Testbed
So don’t be surprised if some early EX60 customers struggle to adapt to this new interface while behind the wheel, even if the intelligence and ability to learn on the fly have improved exponentially over five years.
It’ll be awhile before journalists get to try out Google Gemini in the EX60, but Volvo promises it will enable a broader range of natural speech between the driver and AI assistant. “Customers can have a true natural conversation with the EX60,” the Swedish automaker promises.
Floating Screen, Familiar Icons
The teaser photo should be somewhat reassuring to long-time Volvo customers, as the font and icons and positioning low on the screen appear to be borrowed from recent Volvo models. Although it’s likely a touchscreen with multiple menus for accessing vehicle functions, Volvo is encouraging EX60 buyers to get comfortable with voice commands, which no longer have to be structured in specifically worded commands to change the cabin temperature, for instance.
Natural Speech Is Not New
Volvo is not the first automaker to push more aggressively for natural speech voice commands “to manage complex tasks,” ostensibly to enhance safety or convenience. All the luxury brands have used it for years, and even mainstream brands have been doing it to some extent, starting a conversation with something like, “Hello Nissan.”
Using Google Gemini, Volvo seems to suggest the EX60 will set a new standard for voice command functionality, so let’s see how that works out. Volvo says the EX60, with its internally developed core computing system, electrical architecture, zone controllers and software make it the automaker’s first “software-defined car.”
Finally, The Question Answered!
Getting back to our question about whether the EX60 will be the first Volvo, or the first car from any brand, to use Google Gemini, we eventually got to the bottom of it and are grateful to have clarity where the onslaught of information — oh, so ironically — often prevents it.
“Yes, this will be the first car with Google Gemini so Google’s AI overview is correct!” Volvo PR wrote in an email.
But Google, with its rapid-fire AI, had the correct answer immediately. It took more than 90 minutes to get validation from the real humans at Volvo. At least, we think they’re human!
Source: Volvo
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