Google's Gemini uses Volvo EX60 cameras to decode tricky parking signs

At Google I/O 2026, Google and Volvo revealed that the Gemini AI assistant will gain access to the external cameras of Volvo's upcoming EX60 SUV. The feature leverages Volvo's Android Automotive OS and Qualcomm's Snapdragon system-on-a-chip to enable real-time interpretation of the vehicle's surroundings. The primary initial use case is decoding difficult-to-understand parking signs, telling drivers how long they can park, whether permits are needed, and other restrictions. Google envisions future capabilities such as interpreting lane markings, recognizing road signs, and answering questions about nearby landmarks or restaurants.

Volvo will also be among the first to receive Google Maps' new Immersive Navigation feature, which renders routes in 3D with lifelike graphics. With camera access, Maps can deliver more conversational directions referencing visible landmarks (e.g., "go past this light and take the next left at the library"). The accuracy of Gemini's sign interpretation will be critical — a misinterpretation could lead to expensive tickets or vehicle impoundment. Google and Volvo are betting that precise AI vision will make the feature indispensable rather than an annoyance.