Volvo Cars and Google have announced a significant expansion of their longstanding partnership, marking a pivotal step towards accelerating the integration of advanced digital experiences into Volvo vehicles. This deepened collaboration focuses on rapidly delivering the latest Android Automotive OS innovations to customers who own Volvo models equipped with Google built-in. A key highlight of this expanded alliance is the integration of Google Gemini, a powerful conversational AI, which was jointly demonstrated by the companies at Google I/O 2025 in the Volvo EX90. Beyond this, Volvo cars are now designated as one of Google’s primary reference hardware platforms for future Android development in the automotive realm, promising a faster pace of innovation for the entire industry.
Enhanced Customer Experience: The core of this expanded partnership is a commitment to enriching the driving experience for Volvo customers. By leveraging Google’s rapid innovation cycle within the Android Automotive OS, Volvo drivers are set to receive continuous updates and new features more quickly than ever before. This proactive approach ensures that Volvo vehicles remain at the forefront of in-car technology, offering seamless connectivity and an intuitive user interface. The integration of advanced software features directly into the car’s ecosystem aims to make every journey more enjoyable, efficient, and connected, reflecting Volvo Cars’ dedication to human-centric technology and outstanding customer satisfaction.
Gemini Features and Conversational AI Performance: With Google’s upcoming launch of Google Gemini in the car, drivers of Volvo cars with Google built-in will be among the first to experience the transformative power of this latest conversational AI technology. Gemini is engineered to better understand natural conversations, enabling drivers to interact with their vehicle’s system in a more fluid and intuitive manner. This advanced AI allows users to naturally craft messages, translate them into different languages before sending, ask complex questions directly from the car’s user manual, or obtain specific details about their destination. The fundamental “performance” benefit here is the reduction in cognitive load on the driver, allowing them to remain focused on the critical task of driving, thereby enhancing safety and reducing distractions for everyone inside the vehicle. Gemini is scheduled to replace the current Google Assistant in Volvo cars with Google built-in later this year, promising a significant upgrade in voice command capabilities and responsiveness.
Volvo as a Reference Hardware Platform: A pivotal aspect of this expanded partnership is Volvo Cars’ new role as one of Google’s reference hardware platforms for future Android development within the automotive industry. This means that Google will actively utilize Volvo cars as lead development partners for new features and updates, integrating these innovations into the main Android codebase only after rigorous testing and refinement in Volvo vehicles. This collaborative development model allows Google and Volvo Cars to co-create groundbreaking connected experiences, ensuring that Volvo drivers are among the first to benefit from the very latest Android features and performance enhancements. This strategic alliance is not only set to accelerate advancements in the connected car space for Volvo customers but also for the entire automotive industry and drivers around the world, fostering a faster evolution of in-car technology.
Strategic Benefits and Future Outlook: This deepened collaboration with Google aligns perfectly with Volvo Cars’ strategic vision of delivering human-centric technology and a stunning customer experience. By integrating cutting-edge capabilities from a leading consumer ecosystem, Volvo can ensure its products offer state-of-the-art features and maintain a competitive edge. The synergy between Volvo’s automotive expertise and Google’s software innovation creates a powerful platform for shaping the future of connected cars. This partnership goes beyond simple integration; it is a collaborative effort to develop solutions that will define how drivers interact with their vehicles in the coming years, paving the way for more intuitive, intelligent, and integrated automotive experiences globally.
Industry Impact and Innovation Acceleration: The implications of this expanded partnership extend far beyond Volvo’s immediate customer base. By making Volvo cars a reference hardware platform for Android development, Google is effectively creating a proving ground for new automotive technologies. This faster iteration and refinement process for Android Automotive OS features will inevitably trickle down to benefit other automotive manufacturers adopting the platform. The commitment to innovate together on new connected experiences means that breakthroughs achieved through this partnership will contribute significantly to the overall advancement of the connected car space, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and raising the standard for in-car technology across the entire automotive industry.
Summary:
- Volvo Cars and Google expanded their partnership for Android Automotive OS.
- Google Gemini will be integrated into Volvo cars with Google built-in.
- Volvo cars will serve as Google’s reference hardware for future Android development.
- Gemini enables natural conversations for messaging, translation, and car manual queries.
- Gemini aims to reduce cognitive load and distractions while driving.
- Volvo drivers will be among the first to receive new Android features and updates.
- The partnership accelerates innovation for the entire automotive industry.
Disclaimer: Information presented is based on announced partnership details and projected timelines. Feature availability and specific functionality may vary by market and evolve over time.
Source: Volvo
AI Assistance: Gemini