Rivian Reportedly Partnering with Google Gemini for Upcoming AI Voice Assistant

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Rivian is reportedly gearing up to roll out a brand-new AI-powered in-vehicle assistant, and this time it’s coming from Google. Sources say the company is transitioning away from Amazon’s Alexa platform and moving toward Google’s Gemini AI as its primary voice assistant partner.

This marks a big shift for Rivian’s connected vehicle experience. The automaker will use Google Cloud as the backbone for its upcoming AI voice system, integrating Gemini’s capabilities directly into its in-vehicle software. While official details are still under wraps, early reports suggest that the new assistant will finally bring one of the most requested features among Rivian owners: text messaging integration.

Rivian owners have long wanted a seamless way to send and receive messages through the infotainment system, and Gemini’s natural-language capabilities could make that possible. Beyond messaging, it’s likely that we’ll see expanded in-vehicle commands powered by Google possibly controlling navigation, climate, music, and even smart home devices through the same interface.

The company hasn’t yet revealed what additional features will come with the rollout, but this partnership signals a stronger alignment with Google’s ecosystem and an evolution of Rivian’s digital experience. As Rivian continues to refine its infotainment and app integrations, the move to Gemini could represent the biggest leap yet in how drivers interact with their vehicles.

Stay tuned for more details as this new AI experience begins to take shape inside Rivian’s vehicles.

23 Comments

  1. Oh thank God. As a gen2 R1T owner, I am eagerly awaiting this update and the Apple wallet car key. Both should make for a much better everyday experience.

  3. When adventuring out of cell phone range will the vehicle voice commands for things such as HVAC work? Seems like they would not

    • Depends on how they architect the solution. Gemini has smaller models specifically designed for running on device (phones and embedded systems).

  4. Sounds great. But will we ever really see it? I’m guessing 2027… And that’s not even a joke.

  5. Can’t think of a time something Jose posted did not pan out. Only question is how long. Christmas update surprise? Maybe, but not likely. Still, huge win when it does roll out. Apple CarPlay I am indifferent on. This, however will be a major win.

  6. Love it (at least after the 2nd update when the bugs are largely worked out)! So much is aligning well for the R2 rollout.

  7. So now my phone(s) and R1T are going to argue about who is going to provide an answer when I say “Hey Google”. Just what I need while I drive. Here’s hoping we can personalize the Rivian trigger command.

    • We have Google smart speakers in our home, and also Pixel phones. There’s a setting for which device is priority to respond. In nearly all cases, if you stand in a room and ask a question the speaker will respond. You literally have to be talking right into the phone for it to take priority over the speaker. Hopefully the Rivian integration will be the same.

      • I have Google Home devices throughout my house and we have Android phones too. The first time I used Gemini in the house, it responded on the home device in the room and Gemini on my phone asked if it chose the correct device to respond. I said yes. From then on, it has used whatever Google Home device is in the room to respond unless I press the Gemini button on my phone. I suspect it will work the same way in the Rivian. First time use: “Is this the device you will be using for Gemini” “Yes”.

    • Or disable it completely as I did day one with alexa. My daily driving habits have get to NEED voice assistance, especially from the likes of gemini… Look at the Google hardware integrations with Home Hub and just NOOOO I don’t need that also in my truck. Please gawd no.

  8. I’m not sure I understand why we think texting is a result of changing voice assistants? Gemini doesn’t bring texting with it. I mean, at this point, whatever gets us texting is great but not seeing the connection here.

  13. As long as Rivian can keep privacy at the forefront of the architecture and not let Google sell out my data it’ll collect from Gemini. Ability to use Gemini without needing to create a Google account or tying your Rivian account to Google

  14. Has anyone heard anything new regarding adding GaiaGPS? I saw a comment someplace that it was on the roadmap.

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