Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority
When I hop into my car, there is a list of checklist items I absentmindedly tick off. One is reaching for my cheap Android Auto dongle in my glovebox and plugging it in. Google’s in-car phone mirroring service has become essential to my car trips, as much as fuel, a seat belt, and a steering wheel. However, unlike driving, operating Android Auto is often challenging, especially when using voice commands.
I’ve had so many issues with Android Auto’s voice assistants that I’m just about ready to give up on the feature entirely. This problem, as is the case so often, could easily be solved with a small tweak from Google. Instead of making its product the exclusive in-car assistant, I’d like to see the choice given to the consumer. As Android users can now select their default voice assistant of choice, this feature on Android Auto would put to bed my frustrations.
Do you have problems using Android Auto's voice controls? 27 votes Yes, the service often mishears or misunderstands me. 59 % Yes, it mostly understands my requests, but it takes ages to action them. 19 % No, Android Auto's voice controls have never given me problems. 22 %
‘Sorry, I don’t understand’
Andy Walker / Android Authority
I’m not the only Android Auto user facing voice command problems, either. I’ve seen many forum posts from disgruntled users detailing their frustrations, with many highlighting its inability to understand and execute simple commands. It’s a curious issue, too. Assistant (now Gemini) works well on my phones, but when I’m in the car, the service becomes dumber than lead. Even when it encounters a recognizable command, I wait fleeting seconds for a reciprocating action. Voice assistants are supposed to keep drivers focused on the road with both hands on the wheel, but I’ve found their ponderous behavior distracting and frustrating. It’s not like I’m asking for instructions on how to build a rocket, either. Generally, my commands involve selecting a playlist or artist on Spotify, navigating to the nearest fuel stop, or responding to a WhatsApp message — still, the feature stutters and stumbles.
Android Auto never seems to understand my commands, and when it does it takes ages to execute them.
Often, the problem is a simple misinterpretation of a command. “Play 2021 hits on Spotify,” I’ll bark, seeking the actual playlist titled “2021 hits,” but the assistant will instead play songs from 2021. Dare I navigate to a restaurant, road, or town with a complex or non-English name, or not pronounce words like I’m at a grade school spelling bee. In the image above, I had to type out Ou Meul, because saying “Ow Mule Doo Toights Kloof” phonetically didn’t work either.
I should mention that I haven’t yet received the Gemini on Android Auto update, but I doubt this would solve my problems. I have the next-generation assistant on Wear OS, and it’s as sluggish and simple-minded as Assistant was. I fear that nothing will change when it comes to my car.
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