Google Assistant is gradually making way for Gemini, and now that the driving mode is gone, the new assistant should become responsible for the interaction with Google Maps later this year.

Google Assistant's Driving Mode, with its dedicated home screen, initially seemed to fill that gap. However, a year later, Google ditched the home screen, leaving just a minimalistic bar within Maps.

Google ditched Assistant Driving Mode as part of its efforts to replace Assistant with Gemini across Android.

This offers many of the same features as Android Auto on phones. Nevertheless, according to user feedback, the Google Assistant Driving Mode is not a full alternative to Android Auto.