Danny Weber
Code leak suggests Google Maps for CarPlay is getting Gemini AI integration, enabling natural language queries and contextual suggestions for smoother, safer navigation.
Google Maps remains a top choice among Apple CarPlay users, even as Apple Maps continues to improve. Now, a code leak suggests the car version of Google Maps may be getting one of its most significant updates yet: integration with the Gemini AI assistant. It was spotted by Aaron Perris. References to Gemini features have appeared in the code of Google Maps for CarPlay, hinting at a new feature in the works. Gemini is already built into Google Maps on iPhone, but it hasn't made its way to CarPlay so far.
Bringing Gemini to the car could make navigation noticeably smoother. The AI assistant could handle route queries, help find places using more natural language, provide trip details, and offer contextual suggestions without requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road. This is particularly valuable for CarPlay, where voice interaction is central.
Interest in AI apps for CarPlay spiked after iOS 26.4 added chatbot support. That led to ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Grok landing in Apple's in-car system. Google hasn't released a standalone Gemini app for CarPlay, but baking it into Google Maps might be more practical for drivers.
It's unclear when Google will roll out the feature or which markets will get it first. But the code clues suggest work is already in progress. If the update materializes, Google Maps could gain a serious edge over other navigation apps on CarPlay.
© A. Krivonosov