For people out there, the new Android Auto 5.7 release has already created a few issues, the latest being with or lack of Google Assistant responses.
It looks like the standard “Okay, Google” wake-up phrase and activation keys for the steering wheel (in supported vehicles) work just fine. The Google Assistant, however, seems to get stuck and the standard loading animation fails, meaning there can be no back and forth responses.
Many reports on the official support forums for Android Auto (via autoevolution) complain of the issues that have apparently been exacerbated as a result of the recent 5.7 updates. This is something that can happen with smart speakers from Google and Nest, but when you are trying to avoid distractions on the road, it is less annoying.
You can also see the animation, but the in-car voice assistant doesn’t really detect input or output, further raising the risk for “road rage.” Complaints have come from many devices and vehicles, even with distinct head units.
Given how early we are in the introduction of the Android Auto 5.7 update, it is unclear how widespread the Google Assistant’s non-response issues really are. It seems, however, that the support team has already begun to look into the problems that some are facing. At this early point, this is a good sign.
The Android Auto platform is no stranger to problems, with numerous issues also being very prevalent in recent weeks faced by those upgrading to Android 11. That said, after upgrading to version 5.7, if you have also been affected by Google Assistant response or no-response problems, make sure to let us know in the comments section below.