Android Auto 17.8: new Google Maps destination card with Gemini

© A. Krivonosov

Google Maps in Android Auto may get a much richer destination card with photos, an address, a phone number, parking and accessibility information, plus a short place summary generated by Gemini. This is not a finished update yet: the interface was found in Android Auto 17.8 and enabled manually. Google has not publicly announced this feature.

In the interface that was shown, users can expand the panel and view photos from Google Maps, an Overview section with a Gemini AI summary, and a Good to know block. It can include parking information, details about an accessible entrance and other data from a business listing. A separate gallery also makes it possible to inspect the place directly on the in-car display without switching to a phone.

Google has also reworked the layout in the experimental interface. The time and distance to the destination move into a horizontal bar at the bottom, while expanding the panel reveals more information and route options. The practical value is not Gemini itself, but reducing the number of actions needed on a phone before driving.

The experiment continues Google's broader integration of AI into its in-car services. In May, the company said it would continue expanding Gemini in Android Auto; today, more than 250 million cars are compatible with the platform. Code in Google Maps for iOS has also shown signs that Gemini is being prepared for CarPlay, although the feature is not officially available there yet. At the same time, users reported Gemini and voice-command issues in Android Auto in 2026, and Google released fixes for some of those problems.

However, installing Android Auto 17.8 just for the new card makes little sense. Android Authority stresses that the feature is hidden, unfinished and was activated manually. Google may change the design, delay the launch or abandon the experiment altogether.