Volvo Cars and Google have deepened their decade-long collaboration, with the Swedish carmaker now designated as the lead development partner for Android Automotive software. This strategic move is expected to allow Volvo to offer its customers access to new Android versions and features much earlier than other car manufacturers. Volvo’s Head of Global Software Engineering, Alwin Bakkenes, highlighted that this partnership will enable faster integration of innovative experiences into Volvo vehicles, giving the brand a competitive advantage.
As part of the new arrangement, Google engineers will test the latest Android software directly in Volvo cars to better understand performance in real-world conditions. Bakkenes noted that the auto industry typically lags behind mobile phones by about two Android releases, leading to a gap in capabilities. Volvo vehicles currently operate on Android 13, but at Google’s I/O developer conference in California, the companies showcased the Volvo EX90 electric SUV running on Android 15—the latest version set to roll out in Volvo production cars later this year.
This early access to Android updates will set Volvo apart from rivals, who may need to wait years to deploy the same software. At the same event, Volvo and Google also unveiled the integration of Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence model into the EX90. This advancement will extend to all Volvo vehicles that feature Google’s built-in services, expanding the vehicle’s smart functionalities.
Gemini AI will allow drivers to interact with their cars in more intuitive ways, such as asking the system to search emails or messages for destinations or generate shopping lists from online recipes. Bakkenes said the goal is to enhance the user experience by making it more human-centric, reducing the need for drivers to rely on manual inputs and smartphone navigation while on the road.