Home TransportCarsRivian Replaces Alexa with Google’s Gemini AI

Rivian Replaces Alexa with Google’s Gemini AI

Rivian’s new Gemini AI assistant promises smarter conversations, hands-free messaging, and a more connected EV experience

by Sachin Vishwakarma
Rivian Replaces Alexa with Google’s Gemini AI
Rivian

If you’ve been following Rivian—the electric vehicle startup that’s captured the imagination of adventure-loving drivers—you probably already know that its cars are among the most exciting EVs on the road today. Sleek, rugged, and smart, Rivian trucks and SUVs blend off-road power with high-tech sophistication in a way that feels distinctly modern.

But ask almost any Rivian owner or fan what still bugs them about these otherwise futuristic vehicles, and you’ll hear one common complaint: Why won’t Rivian give us Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

For years, this question has sparked lively debates in Rivian forums, social media threads, and even among car reviewers. The company’s refusal to include these popular phone projection systems has puzzled—and in some cases, infuriated—customers who’ve grown used to the convenience of their smartphones syncing seamlessly with their cars.

Now, however, it looks like Rivian might finally be ready to fill that gap in its own way. Recent reports suggest the company is testing a brand-new AI assistant powered by Google Gemini, a move that could completely redefine how Rivian owners interact with their vehicles—and maybe even change the conversation around CarPlay for good.

Rivian’s Software Philosophy

To understand why Rivian has resisted Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for so long, you first need to know how the company sees its software.

From day one, Rivian has taken a very different approach from most automakers. Instead of relying on third-party systems to handle entertainment and navigation, Rivian decided to build everything in-house—a strategy meant to give drivers a tightly integrated, unified experience that matches the brand’s adventurous identity.

Rivian’s CEO, RJ Scaringe, has been vocal about this philosophy. In interviews, he’s explained that Rivian wants full control over the customer experience—everything from how the vehicle drives to how its screens look and respond. To him, letting Apple or Google run their software inside Rivian cars would dilute the company’s design vision and make it harder to innovate on its own terms.

That’s why, despite years of customer requests, Rivian has continued to say no to both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead, the company promised that its own infotainment system would eventually include all the features people need—without having to hand over the digital keys to another tech giant.

Scaringe even went on record saying that Rivian customers would ultimately “appreciate” not having Apple CarPlay. That statement caused quite a stir online, especially among EV fans who are deeply attached to their Apple or Android ecosystems.

Some took it as an overly confident claim, while others saw it as a sign that Rivian was planning something much bigger behind the scenes. And as it turns out, those people might have been right.

Why Rivian Owners Have Been So Frustrated

For Rivian owners, the lack of CarPlay or Android Auto isn’t just about convenience—it’s about everyday usability.

While Rivian’s native software has been widely praised for its sleek design and smooth performance, there are still some basic features that many feel are missing. For instance, replying to messages using voice commands has been completely absent. You can see incoming notifications, but you can’t respond to them hands-free the way you can in almost every other modern car equipped with phone projection.

And then there’s music and navigation. Sure, Rivian’s built-in options work well enough, but users who rely on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Maps, or Waze often find themselves wishing for deeper integration. CarPlay and Android Auto make it easy to jump between playlists, take calls, send messages, or find directions—all while keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Without those systems, Rivian drivers are left hoping the company’s promised software updates will finally bridge the gap. And for years, Rivian has been saying: Trust us—it’s coming.

Rivian’s AI-Powered Answer

Here’s where things start to get interesting.

During an interview with The Verge, RJ Scaringe revealed that Rivian is actively developing an AI voice assistant designed to handle the very tasks owners have been missing—like reading and replying to messages using voice-to-text.

This new AI system, he explained, is intended to be Rivian’s answer to Apple’s Siri or Google Assistant. It would let drivers dictate messages, manage communications, control in-car functions, and even hold natural conversations with the vehicle. Scaringe said this technology was expected to roll out within 18 months, suggesting it would be part of Rivian’s broader push to enhance its software experience.

But here’s the surprise twist: that timeline might have just sped up.

According to new reports—and an intriguing discussion on the Rivian Forums—the company is already testing this AI assistant internally. And the assistant in question? None other than Google Gemini, Google’s powerful next-generation AI model.

If true, this marks a major shift not only for Rivian’s software strategy but also for how its vehicles interact with drivers.

Goodbye Alexa, Hello Gemini

For the past few years, Rivian’s cars have used Amazon Alexa as their built-in voice assistant. It handled simple commands like controlling the climate, adjusting volume, or checking vehicle status. But while Alexa worked fine for basic tasks, it never offered deep integration with messaging or the kind of advanced conversational abilities that modern AI can deliver.

That’s about to change.

Rivian is reportedly transitioning from Amazon Alexa to Google Gemini as the core AI assistant in its vehicles. Gemini, which represents Google’s newest and most sophisticated AI technology, is capable of much more than just responding to commands—it can actually understand context, handle multitasking, and engage in fluid, natural conversations.

Imagine being able to say, “Read me my latest messages and tell Sarah I’m on my way,” and having your car instantly do both—without needing to touch your phone or take your eyes off the road. That’s exactly the kind of seamless experience Rivian drivers have been hoping for.

This change also signals a broader technological shift inside Rivian. The company isn’t just swapping out assistants—it’s reportedly moving away from Amazon Web Services (AWS), which currently powers its cloud operations, and shifting to Google Cloud. That’s a huge move, one that suggests Rivian is doubling down on its partnership with Google for the long term.

How Rivian’s System Is Built—and Why Gemini Fits Perfectly

Rivian’s infotainment system has always been something of a hybrid. It’s based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), with elements borrowed from Android Automotive, but it’s not the same as Google’s full in-car operating system.

That means while Rivian’s platform has Android DNA under the hood, it doesn’t have direct access to the Google Play Store, nor does it fully support the same app ecosystem as other Android-based vehicles. However, it does include several Google services, like Maps and YouTube, and even supports Google Cast, allowing users to stream video directly from their phones to the vehicle’s central display.

So in many ways, Rivian’s decision to lean into Google Gemini makes perfect sense. The architecture is already compatible, the software already speaks Google’s language, and the transition could be relatively smooth compared to integrating something completely new.

And from the user’s perspective, this move could finally bring the kind of smart, connected experience that Rivian owners have been waiting for—without having to rely on CarPlay or Android Auto.

Owners Are Already Spotting Gemini in Action

Perhaps the most exciting part of this story is that some Rivian owners believe Gemini is already running—at least in early testing.

A recent post on the Rivian Forums shared a video that appears to show Gemini working inside a Rivian EV. The footage, reportedly linked by the site RivianTrackr, suggests that the assistant is fully functional, capable of responding to voice commands, managing messages, and interacting conversationally with the driver.

If true, that means Rivian is much further along in development than most people thought. It also makes RJ Scaringe’s “18 months” prediction look conservative. Many now believe the Gemini AI assistant will debut well before that—possibly with the launch of the highly anticipated Rivian R2, which is expected to start deliveries in less than nine months.

That timing would make perfect sense. The R2 is meant to be Rivian’s next big step—a more affordable, mass-market vehicle designed to bring the brand to a wider audience. Introducing Gemini alongside it would showcase Rivian’s tech-forward philosophy and give buyers something genuinely new to be excited about.

A Step Toward True Digital Integration

It’s easy to look at this as “just another tech update,” but Gemini represents something bigger for Rivian. It’s not just about adding another voice assistant—it’s about creating a true digital ecosystem that feels natural, intelligent, and deeply connected to the vehicle itself.

Think about what Apple CarPlay and Android Auto actually offer: convenience. They bridge your phone and your car, letting you use your favorite apps safely while driving. But Gemini could go beyond that, merging those same capabilities directly into Rivian’s native system.

In other words, instead of projecting your phone onto the screen, your car becomes your assistant—capable of reading your messages, playing your music, navigating to your next meeting, and understanding context, all without needing to plug anything in.

That’s the future Rivian has always promised, and with Gemini, it’s finally within reach.

Rivian’s Identity as a Tech Company

RJ Scaringe has often described Rivian as more than just an automaker. To him, Rivian is a technology company that happens to build cars.

That mindset explains a lot about Rivian’s software-first strategy. The company wants to own every piece of its ecosystem—from battery management to infotainment—so it can keep improving, updating, and innovating on its own schedule.

This approach mirrors what Tesla has done successfully for years. Tesla doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto either, but few of its drivers seem to mind, because the built-in experience is so polished and capable. Rivian clearly wants to reach that same level of seamlessness, where the native software is so good that no one misses their phone’s interface.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. Tesla spent years perfecting its voice commands, navigation, and media integration. Rivian is still catching up, but with Gemini, it might finally have the missing ingredient to compete at that level.

The Challenges Ahead

As exciting as Gemini sounds, it’s not without challenges. Transitioning from Amazon’s ecosystem to Google’s is no small task. Rivian’s development team will need to ensure that all vehicle functions—voice control, navigation, communication, and cloud connectivity—work smoothly under the new system.

There are also privacy and data considerations. Anytime AI is involved, especially one built by a major tech company like Google, users want to know how their information is being handled. Rivian will need to be transparent about how voice data, messages, and cloud interactions are processed and stored to maintain customer trust.

And then there’s the question of performance. Gemini might be powerful, but it needs to run reliably in all kinds of driving conditions—mountains, deserts, freezing cold, or blazing heat. Rivian’s customers are adventure enthusiasts who expect their vehicles to perform flawlessly no matter where they go.

In short, the technology has to be as tough as the trucks themselves.

What Owners Are Hoping For

Rivian owners are nothing if not passionate. Spend a few minutes browsing Rivian forums or Reddit threads, and you’ll see countless posts from drivers who absolutely love their vehicles—but who are also eager for more robust software features.

The excitement around Gemini is palpable because it promises to deliver what owners have been asking for all along: better communication tools, smarter navigation, and more personalized interaction.

Many are hopeful that Gemini will also make Rivian’s voice commands feel more natural. Instead of having to memorize specific phrases, drivers might be able to speak casually and have the assistant understand intent—something AI models like Gemini are particularly good at.

And of course, there’s the long-standing dream that someday, Rivian might add limited phone projection support, even if only through apps or cloud connections. But even if that never happens, a smart, capable AI assistant could finally make the absence of CarPlay feel less painful.

Rivian’s Future Is Looking Smarter

Whether you love or hate Rivian’s stubborn independence, you have to admire its commitment to doing things differently. While other automakers race to add every available tech partnership, Rivian is carefully choosing the tools that align with its vision.

By integrating Gemini, Rivian is essentially saying: We don’t need to copy what everyone else is doing—we’ll create something better. It’s a bold move, and it reflects the company’s confidence in its software engineering and long-term goals.

And if early tests are any indication, Gemini might just be the upgrade Rivian owners have been waiting for—a smarter, faster, more human way to interact with their vehicles.

The Road Ahead

Right now, Rivian stands at an important crossroads. On one hand, it’s dealing with production challenges, scaling up manufacturing, and preparing for the R2 launch. On the other, it’s quietly reinventing its software experience from the ground up.

The decision to replace Alexa with Gemini isn’t just a feature update—it’s a statement about the kind of company Rivian wants to be. It’s a step toward creating a deeply integrated, AI-driven ecosystem where the car doesn’t just respond to you—it understands you.

If all goes according to plan, Rivian’s next generation of vehicles could offer a driving experience unlike anything else on the market: one where the boundaries between car, cloud, and driver practically disappear.

So, while you still can’t use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in your Rivian, maybe—just maybe—you won’t need to for much longer.

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