Google has started rolling out the Android Auto 18.0 beta, but the update adds no user-facing features that have been spotted so far. Bug fixes appear to be the main content, while the more interesting work is happening behind the scenes on the next redesign of the interface.
The Cielo codename
Digging into the app's code, developers found a new asset called "cielo_launcher". The name has appeared for months in Android Auto's flags, with references going back to version 15.7 in November 2025. The word "launcher" suggests it is the replacement for "Coolwalk", the codename of the current dashboard redesign. "Cielo" means sky in Italian and Spanish, though it is unclear whether the name carries any meaning.
Earlier versions that mentioned "cielo" also referred to screen layouts, a hint that the new design will cover more of the display and support widgets.
What the beta contains
Version 18.0 mostly builds on the redesign work. Nothing found so far suggests the new design is imminent. The light and dark theme, long in development, also appears in the flags but is not active in this version.
Other outlets covering the beta report that the new launcher could also bring Gemini personalization controls, a more readable system font and dedicated work profile settings for managing notifications in the car.
The redesign was announced earlier this year, but no arrival date has been given. For users, the beta is a signal that the change is in preparation, with no official timeline.
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