Waymo Tests Gemini AI Inside the Secret In-Car Assistant
Waymo is actively experimenting with integrating Google’s Gemini AI into its robotaxi fleet, aiming to create a sophisticated in car assistant for passengers. According to code discoveries by researcher Jane Manchun Wong, the company has developed a 1,200 line "Meta Prompt" that governs the behavior of this unreleased feature. Unlike a standard chatbot, this assistant is designed to deeply integrate with the vehicle's cabin, allowing it to manage functions like climate control, lighting, and music playback while providing personalized greetings based on the rider's history. However, the system currently has strict limitations the prompt explicitly instructs the AI to use "aspirational phrases" like "It's not something I can do yet" for unauthorized commands such as changing routes or adjusting windows.
A critical component of the assistant's programming is the strict separation of identity between the AI companion and the autonomous driving technology, known as the "Waymo Driver." The system prompts rigorously forbid Gemini from speaking on behalf of the driving system or commenting on real time vehicle maneuvers. If a passenger asks about the car's perception or a specific driving event such as a viral video of a collision the AI is instructed to deflect and avoid any defensive or apologetic tone. Instead of saying "I see the road using sensors," it must clarify that "The Waymo Driver uses a combination of sensors," ensuring a clear boundary between the concierge service and the safety critical driving operations.
This development marks a significant shift in how autonomous vehicle companies view the passenger experience, moving beyond mere transportation to interactive environments. While Waymo has previously used Gemini's "world knowledge" to train its driving models, this consumer facing application positions the AI as a pragmatic, ride focused helper rather than a conversational buddy. This approach contrasts sharply with competitors like Tesla, which is integrating xAI's Grok to serve as a more "chatty" in car companion that remembers conversation history. Although a Waymo spokesperson noted that features are constantly being tested and may not all launch, the detailed specifications suggest a serious effort to redefine the ride hailing experience through advanced AI.