French car maker Renault is rolling out Google’s Gemini AI as an over-the-air update for vehicles already on the road.

Gemini is being rolled out gradually across all brand vehicles featuring the OpenR Link multimedia system that delivers a seamless, scalable and continuously evolving connected experience.

As part of a gradual deployment that began last month, Gemini is available to customers as an opt-in upgrade to Google Assistant. In this way, Gemini is expanding the range of services available on OpenR Link. Designed to interact more naturally with drivers and passengers, Gemini will be able to understand the context of a conversation, answer questions more effectively and handle complex requests.

OpenR Link is updated automatically and has been continuously enhanced since its launch in 2022 on the Megane E-Tech electric car. It includes HBO Max, Amazon Music, Waze, SongPop for Renault and Canal+ apps plus functions in Google Maps, including some for electric vehicles.

Gemini will be rolled out gradually as an opt-in upgrade to Google Assistant on all Renault (www.renaultgroup.com) models already on the road fitted with OpenR Link with Google built-in. The system is available across the entire European range from Twingo to Rafale, as well as on international models such as Boreal or Duster in India.

The first users are invited to opt-in to Gemini directly from the central display in the cabin, if they are signed into a Google Account. The update is free and does not affect the duration of the connectivity offer. This roll-out is based on over-the-air updates, meaning it uses the native connectivity of Renault vehicles and does not require a visit to the garage.

An opt-in function lets users choose whether or not to enable Gemini. They can also return to Google Assistant at any time. 

Powered by Google’s AI technology, Gemini can understand the context of a conversation and the intentions of users, handle requests of greater complexity, and engage in natural, continuous conversations. This means drivers can speak naturally, without having to memorise specific phrases.

Users will also be able to enable Gemini Live for conversational interaction. This feature will be available in a future update, allowing users to engage in a natural free-flowing conversations, interrupt the assistant at any time, make several requests in a row without repeating the phrase Hey Google, and switch languages during a conversation.

Gemini integrated on OpenR Link goes further than Gemini on Android Auto by allowing users to control some vehicle functions directly such as air conditioning, navigation and radio, and settings, and use vehicle data, such as EV range, for route planning.

Interactions with the vehicle can also be accessed on other devices linked to the same Google Account, for a seamless experience.

By enabling more complex voice-controlled tasks and reducing the need for touch-based interaction, Gemini can reduce driver distraction, maintaining a focus on the road, simplify access to vehicle functions, and improve everyday comfort and convenience.

Integrated with the vehicle and the Google ecosystem, Gemini can respond to real-life situations. This means it can carry out several tasks in a row without further interaction.

From launch, Gemini (gemini.google.com) is supporting thirteen languages rolling out gradually to all users: English, French, German, Swedish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Danish, Norwegian and Turkish.