Driving more securely thanks to smart glasses? Android Auto indicates new function-a head-up display 2.0?

Published on: April 11, 2025 / update from: April 11, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Driving more securely thanks to smart glasses? Android Auto indicates new function-a head-up display 2.0? - Image: Xpert.digital

Android Auto and Smart Glasses: The next generation of the driving experience?

Android Auto prepares integration with smart glasses? A new era of navigation?

An analysis of the latest Android Auto-update shows significant indications of an upcoming networking with smart glasses that could revolutionize the driving experience. This development coincides with Google's reinforced activities in the area of expanded reality (XR) and promises to change the way we use navigation information while driving.

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The discovery in the code: indications of smart glass integration

In the latest version of Android Auto (V14.2.151544), experts discovered revealing text modules when analyzing the code. Two new strings in the code clearly indicate planned integration with smart glasses. The first string only defines a “glass option”, while the second with the instruction “Start Navigation to Launch Glasses” becomes more specific.

The Hindi version of this second string, which can be translated more clearly than “to display navigation on smart glasses, is particularly revealing, start navigation”. The German string, discovered by Android Authority, is similarly clear: "To display navigation on Smart Glasses, start navigation". This wording leaves little doubt that Google works on a function that enables Android Auto navigation instructions to transfer directly to Smart Glasses.

The discovery in the source code was carried out by various technical publications such as Android Authority, 9to5Google and Sammyguru, all of which come to the same conclusion: Android Auto is preparing for integration with smart glasses.

Android XR: Google's new platform for smart glasses

The code notices found appear particularly relevant in the context of Google's recent activities in the area of smart glasses. Only recently, at the TED 2025 conference, Google presented its Android XR glasses. In this demonstration, the Android XR product manager personally showed a smart Google glasses, which hardly differs from normal glasses.

The concept of these glasses is based on a constant connection between the smartphone and glasses: “Thesis Glasses Work with your Phone, Streaming Back and Forth, Allowing the Glasses to Be Very Lightweight and Access All of Your Phone Apps”. This principle enables a compact design because the computing work is taken over by the smartphone, while the glasses mainly act as a display and input device.

From “car” to “vehicle”: a significant terminological change

Interestingly, Google has recently made a subtle but significant change in Android Auto: the term “car” or “cars” was replaced by “vehicle” or “vehicles”. The “Android Auto” product name remains, but all surfaces that relate to the car themselves have been renamed.

This change indicates that Google wants to open the platform for a wider range of vehicles. In fact, Android Auto has been used on motorcycles by manufacturers such as Ducati, Honda and KTM for several years. The renaming could be an indication that Google is now planning a more specific adjustment for different vehicle types-possibly in connection with the smart glass integration.

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Potential areas of application and advantages

Increased security through head-up display functionality

The most obvious advantage of integrating Android Auto with Smart Glasses is increased security. Instead of having to take a look off the street to look at the infotainment screen, drivers could receive navigation instructions directly in their field of vision.

“Looking at a screen for navigation while Driving is undoubedly a hazard. So overlaying guidance on glasses, that Let you keep focused on the road, make a lot of sense,” says one of the reports. The smart glasses would therefore act as a kind of head-up display without the vehicle itself being equipped with this technology.

Extended areas of application beyond the automotive

Smart Glasses integration for motorcycle and cyclists could be particularly interesting. These user groups often have no way to use an infotainment display safely while driving. Smart Glasses could close this gap and make Android Auto's navigation functions accessible to a wider range of road users.

The use of the term “vehicle” instead of “car” in the Android car interface underlines this focus on various forms of mobility.

Potential integration with Gemini Ai

Another exciting aspect is the possible linking of the Android Auto Smart Glasses function with Google's Gemini AI. At the TED 2025 demo, Google showed how the XR glasses in connection with Gemini can act as a “memory”.

In the demonstration, a user asked where she had left her hotel room key, and Gemini was able to answer thanks to the XR glasses: “The Hotel Key Card is to the Left of the Music Record”. Transferred to the driving context, this could mean that the glasses not only help with navigation, but also in memory of important places such as petrol stations, cafés or suitable stops.

Time frame and outlook

The discovered code instructions indicate that the function is still in an early stage of development. "This is just a FEW Lines of Code at this point so it appears to be in the very early stages of development", according to a report.

More details or an official announcement could take place on the upcoming Google I/O in May 2025. The question also arises as to which Smart Glasses will support this function-Google's own Android XR glasses are an obvious candidate, but devices from other manufacturers may also be compatible.

During the TED conference, the Android XR product manager indicated that Google is currently still working on improving the battery life and reducing the price. This could indicate that the first devices will be presented soon, but may not be intended for the mass market immediately.

Competition in the Smart Glasses market

Google is not the only company that works on smart glasses. Samsung is also reported to develop its own smart glasses with the internal code name “Haean”. These are said to be announced before the end of the year and are equipped with Qualcomms AR1 chipset, a 12-MP Sony-IMX681 camera and a 155 mAh battery. With a weight of around 50 grams, they should also offer AI functions supported by Google's Gemini LLM.

Android Auto and Smart Glasses: A look into the future of the infotainment

The discovery of Smart Glasses covers in the Android Auto-Code marks a significant step in the evolution of Google's Infotainment platform. Integration could revolutionize the way we use navigation while driving and at the same time increase security.

The timing of this discovery, which coincides with Google's reinforced activities in the area of smart glasses and XR, coincides with the time of this discovery. The combination of Android Auto, Smart Glasses and AI functions such as Gemini could create a powerful ecosystem that goes far beyond the traditional limits of infotainment systems.

While we are waiting for official announcements, the development of Android Auto in the direction of Smart Glasses integration remains a fascinating example of how the boundaries between different technology areas are increasingly blurred and new, innovative use of use arise.

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