The next big thing from C It won't involve new icons or menus, but rather voice control. Apple is working to enable the infotainment system in its compatible cars to connect directly with artificial intelligence chatbot , the ChatGPT, Gemini (Google) y Claudeso that the driver can have natural conversations with these assistants while driving, without depending on the mobile phone in their hand.
This step represents a significant change in how Apple manages its ecosystem: for the first time, CarPlay will be open to third-party conversational assistants officially. The idea is that these AI applications will function as travel companions to answer questions, summarize information, or help organize the day, while Crab It preserves control of all functions that directly affect the vehicle and its safety.
CarPlay fully enters the era of conversational AI
According to information first reported by Bloomberg and repeated by various technology media outlets, Apple engineers have been fine-tuning for months. a new type of compatibility in CarPlay for chatbot apps with voice modeUntil now, the system mainly supported navigation, music, messaging, and podcast apps, leaving out the wave of assistants based on large language models that has exploded in recent years.
With this new phase, CarPlay will allow services such as ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google) o Claude (Anthropic) They offer versions adapted to the car environment. These apps would run directly on the vehicle's screen, displaying a simplified interface and activating the voice conversational mode as soon as the user opens them, so there's no need to fiddle with buttons while driving.
Apple's goal is for the driver to be able to launch complex questions and open requests using natural language, such as "explain the difference between hybrid and electric," "give me a summary of today's news," or "help me prepare the key points of this meeting," and receive spoken, clear, and relatively brief responses designed not to take your attention off the road.
Until now, there were makeshift solutions, such as Siri shortcuts that called ChatGPT from the iPhone or experimental widgets in iOS beta versions, but they were workarounds without native support or real optimization for the carWith the planned evolution of CarPlay, those detours would no longer be necessary, and the experience would become official and more polished.
Sources consulted indicate that this support will be launched “in the coming months” through a iOS updateThere's no need to change vehicles: all you need is a CarPlay-compatible car and the appropriate operating system version on your iPhone.
Siri maintains control of the car and critical functions
Despite opening the door to third-party AI, Apple doesn't want any doubt about who's in charge inside the car. The company has decided that Siri will remain the only authorized assistant to handle native CarPlay and vehicle functionsFrom calls to navigation, including music and settings that directly affect driving.
That means tasks like Send and dictate messages, make calls, follow routes in Apple Maps, control audio playback, or interact with advanced CarPlay Ultra features. (the evolution of the system that offers deeper control of the car, with access to the central screen and the digital instrument cluster) will remain limited to the Apple assistant.
The philosophy behind it is simple: Everything that has a direct impact on road safety should be centralized in a single voice channel. Apple will control every detail. The AI applications will be dedicated to answering questions, offering explanations, and holding conversations, but they won't be able to, for example, adjust the climate control, change car settings, or make decisions that could unduly distract the driver.
In practice, the user will have two levels of voice interaction within CarPlayOn one hand, Siri acts as an interlocutor when using the steering wheel button, the microphone icon, or the usual wake word. On the other hand, AI chatbots are integrated into their own applications, functioning like a "smart radio" that can answer virtually any question.
This approach fits with the company's overall strategy, which aims Strengthen Siri with its own Apple Intelligence while allowing other specialized AIs to coexist in different use cases, without any of them replacing the central assistant in terms of car handling.
How to activate ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude from the dashboard
One of the areas where Apple has been strictest is in how to invoke these new assistants. Leaks agree that Third-party chatbots will not be able to replace either the physical or virtual Siri button in CarPlay or the wake word.In this way, the basic experience of the system is maintained as current users know it.
To speak with ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, the driver will have to First, open the corresponding application on the CarPlay screen.Once launched, the developer will be able to automatically activate the chatbot's voice mode, so the conversation starts instantly and the user only has to speak, without touching the iPhone.
Bloomberg suggests that Apple will not offer the option to Reassign the steering wheel button to launch a voice assistant other than Siri.It also won't allow changing the keyword that activates the home assistant. This aims to avoid confusion: the driver will know that when using the usual shortcuts, they'll always be talking to Siri, and that external AIs reside within their own apps in CarPlay.
The result will be a relatively clear environment: The traditional, Siri-based workflow remains unchanged; a new type of application focused on advanced conversation simply emerges.Those who want to continue using CarPlay as before won't have to change anything, while those who want to take full advantage of third-party AI systems will be able to do so more directly and conveniently.
This type of “controlled opening” is very typical of Apple: The company facilitates access to new features, but sets strict rules on how they are used and how far they can go.This is especially delicate when it comes to an environment like the interior of a vehicle, with very specific regulations and risks.
Calendar, iOS updates, and rollout in Spain and Europe
There is no official date on the calendar yet, but the sources cited indicate that AI chatbot compatibility in CarPlay will be enabled via an iOS update in the relatively near future.Apple prefers to proceed in phases, first testing the behavior of these apps in controlled scenarios before expanding the feature to all markets.
In parallel, the company continues to refine its own artificial intelligence roadmapRecent versions of the system have expanded the presence of Apple Intelligence and the integration of external models such as Gemini In certain use cases, especially in English-speaking markets. The idea is that, as Siri gains internal capabilities, CarPlay will also receive the necessary components to allow third-party AIs to integrate into the ecosystem.
The leaks mention iOS versions in higher branches (such as the 26.x family) associated with deep improvements to Siri and a A more ambitious overhaul of Apple's assistant in the medium termThe opening to external chatbots in CarPlay would be part of this broader package, although it could be activated sooner or later depending on how the tests progress.
Regarding the geographical deployment, everything indicates that The United States and Europe will be in the first waveThis is due both to the prevalence of CarPlay in new cars and to Apple's partnerships with automakers in these regions. In Spain, where many mainstream and premium brands offer CarPlay as standard or optional equipment, the update could have a rapid impact once the apps from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are adapted to the car format.
The rollout will also have to comply with European regulatory requirements, from road safety to data privacy. That will involve Additional reviews to ensure that interactions with these chatbots do not cause undue distractions and that the processing of personal information complies with current regulations, especially the GDPR.
What will conversational AI allow us to do behind the wheel?
Apple has not yet published an official list of features, but the very nature of these assistants suggests a wide range of uses focused on information and support during the journeyThe focus will not be on filling the screen with text, but on using voice to offer useful content while the driver remains focused on traffic.
Among the most obvious uses are the explanatory and educational consultationsYou can ask the chatbot to clarify technical concepts, translate expressions, explain a financial term, or review the key ideas of a complex topic. It will also be possible to request news summariesA review of current technological or economic events, or even a simple explanation of documents and emails that the user has read before leaving home.
On journeys within Spain or other European countries, these assistants could help to plan interesting stops, check the weather at different points along the route, or create to-do lists and reminders On the go. While commuting to work, for example, the driver could ask the chatbot to help organize their day's schedule or prepare an agenda for a meeting.
Native integration in CarPlay will also allow each AI provider adjust your models to the specific characteristics of the automotive environmentShorter responses are expected, with less jargon, clearly ordered and with reduced waiting times, so that the interaction does not become a distraction in itself.
From a technical and legal standpoint, these applications will have to comply with strict criteria for privacy, data processing and securityApple will require chatbot developers to limit access to sensitive information, carefully manage voice recordings, and respect European data protection regulations, something especially relevant for users in Spain and the rest of the EU.
Impact in Spain and Europe: pressure on manufacturers' native systems
Apple's decision comes at a time when many car manufacturers in Europe are... They are developing their own infotainment systems with integrated AI featuresBrands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Tesla are already experimenting with their own advanced assistants, which rely on their connected platforms to offer voice responses and real-time suggestions.
In this context, CarPlay's opening to chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude This could become a decisive factor for many European drivers who already routinely use Apple's system in their daily lives. The possibility of having the same type of conversational assistant in the car that they use on their mobile phone or computer strengthens CarPlay's position against the proprietary solutions offered by each manufacturer.
For users in Spain, where CarPlay is commonly found integrated into both urban models and high-end vehicles, the new feature will translate into more options when interacting with the carYou can still use the brand's native assistant if available, but you can also use these AI chatbots within CarPlay for everything related to general information, explanations, or assistance during your trip.
From the perspective of European developers and startups, Apple's move opens up a new category of applications with potential access to millions of cars Without needing to negotiate directly with each car manufacturer. Simply comply with CarPlay guidelines, design a voice experience tailored to driving, and ensure regulatory compliance so the app can be available to drivers across Europe.
All of this is happening at a time of intense competition in the field of connected mobility, in which Brands will have to decide whether to strengthen their own driver assistance systems or opt for closer integration with CarPlay. and its new conversational AI capabilities. In many cases, it will be reasonable for both options to coexist, allowing the user to choose which assistant they want to talk to in each situation.
With the arrival of these chatbots to CarPlay, the use of the iPhone in the car will change noticeably for drivers in Spain and Europe: Siri will still be in charge of calls, messages, music, and vehicle controls.Meanwhile, new AI applications will provide an extra layer of knowledge and conversation, designed to assist the driver with clear explanations, contextual recommendations, and a way of interacting with technology that increasingly resembles a one-on-one conversation.
