There’s a new and interesting development in the smart car segment. Grok, X’s AI chatbot, has officially made its way into cars with Tesla’s latest software update. This move is particularly interesting because it sees Grok integrated into vehicles even before Google’s own Gemini AI. X has seemingly leapfrogged its competitor in bringing a full-fledged conversational AI assistant to the automotive cabin—at least for Tesla users.
Grok is coming to Tesla cars via the latest 2025.26 update. Grok’s in-car functionality is currently in a beta phase, primarily focusing on information exchange. According to the launch post, “Grok is currently in beta and does not issue commands to your car.” The official announcement also warns that “existing voice commands remain unchanged.” This means you can ask Grok questions, get information, or engage in conversation, but it will not directly control vehicle functions like navigation or climate control just yet—at least for now.
xAI’s Grok AI comes to Tesla cars in the US
Currently, this in-car AI experience is exclusively available to users in the US. If you are purchasing a new Tesla, the good news is that “all new Tesla vehicles delivered on or after July 12, 2025, will have Grok available” (by default), according to the brand. Existing Tesla car owners will need to meet a few requirements to get the first taste of Grok AI. The list includes an AMD processor, owning a Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, or Cybertruck, and running vehicle software version 2025.26. Additionally, your car will need either Premium Connectivity or a Wi-Fi connection to enable Grok.
To make it simple, most Tesla vehicles launched since mid-2021 should be compatible.
Once enabled, users will be able to interact with Grok in their cars much like they would through the X app on their phone. This means quick access to information and conversational AI without having to pull out another device.
Google Gemini could have a broader reach
Yes, X has made a swift move with Grok in Teslas, getting ahead of Google. However, it is fair to note that Google’s long-term vision for Gemini in cars likely aims for a much wider reach across multiple car brands. It remains to be seen if X will eventually choose to release Grok for use in any car brand, or if it will remain exclusive to Tesla vehicles.
Meanwhile, in the future, Grok for cars will probably gain the ability to directly send commands to your vehicle. This will truly allow integration of the AI into the driving experience. For now, its arrival in Tesla vehicles represents a significant step forward. It may be the first introduction to advanced conversational AI for many drivers. After all, Android Auto still maintains the classic Google Assistant that works with “robotic” commands.
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Source: ndroidheadlines.com