Apple Opens CarPlay to AI Voice Assistants: Possibly Gemini
- Apple Inc. is preparing to integrate voice-controlled artificial intelligence applications from third-party developers into CarPlay.
- Google’s Gemini AI will back Siri.
- Similar to Android Auto, we may see gemini backed Siri in Apple CarPlay.
- The company plans to roll out support for these applications within the coming months, enabling AI providers to develop CarPlay-compatible versions of their apps with dedicated voice-control functionality.
- However, Apple will maintain certain restrictions: users won’t be able to replace the Siri button or customize the wake word. Instead, drivers will need to manually open each third-party app to activate its voice-control features.
Apple is preparing to open CarPlay to third-party AI voice assistants for the first time. This decision, expected to roll out in the coming months, will allow drivers to interact directly with advanced AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude through their vehicle’s infotainment system.
It’s a strategic pivot by Apple to acknowledge the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and the growing demand from users who want access to more sophisticated conversational AI while driving. For the automotive industry, developers, and millions of CarPlay users worldwide, this could be the biggest change coming to CarPlay after the huge Ui overhaul in iOS 26.
Third-Party AI Assistants Are Coming to Apple Car Dashboard
For years, Apple has maintained strict control over the CarPlay ecosystem. Siri has been the sole voice assistant available, handling essential driving tasks such as navigation, music control, messaging, and basic information queries. While functional for these core activities, Siri has consistently lagged behind newer generative AI platforms in its ability to handle complex queries, provide contextual information, and engage in natural conversation.
According to sources familiar with Apple’s plans, the company is developing infrastructure to support third-party AI applications with voice-control capabilities within CarPlay. This means major AI providers — including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic — will be able to create CarPlay-compatible versions of their applications that drivers can access through voice commands.
However, it may most likely fall to Google’s Gemini for voice assistance and daily tasks, similar to Gemini on Android Auto.
Apple may also support multiple AI agents for different tasks. Imagine asking ChatGPT for detailed restaurant recommendations based on your dietary preferences, querying Claude about a complex topic you’re researching, or getting Gemini to summarize the latest news.
Apple isn’t completely opening the floodgates. The implementation comes with specific constraints designed to maintain the company’s ecosystem integrity:
Siri Remains the Default: Users won’t be able to replace the Siri button or change the wake word. The “Hey Siri” command will continue to activate Apple’s native assistant exclusively.
App-Based Activation: To use a third-party AI assistant, drivers will need to manually open the corresponding app within CarPlay. This is a crucial distinction from how Siri operates, which can be activated instantly via voice or button press.
Auto-Launch Capability: Developers will have the option to configure their pace with these capabilities. Apple customers have been vocal about wanting access to more advanced AI tools while driving, often resorting to awkward workarounds like using their iPhone’s speakerphone or creating custom shortcuts to sync AI widgets to CarPlay—solutions that are neither elegant nor safe.
Competitive Pressure from Google
Apple’s decision doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Google’s Android Automotive OS has been aggressively integrating Gemini AI into vehicle systems, offering automakers a platform with deeply embedded conversational AI capabilities. As more car manufacturers adopt Android Automotive, Apple faces the very real risk of CarPlay becoming less competitive if it doesn’t modernize its AI offerings.
