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Roav Bolt is like a tiny Google Home for your car

This compact smart device for automotive brings the power of Google Assistant along for the ride.

Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin Senior Writer, Electrified Cars
Antuan started out in the automotive industry the old-fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. He now has nearly 20 years of expertise and experience behind the wheel of hundreds of cars, including electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and traditional combustion vehicles. For each car he tests, Antuan covers more than 200 miles behind the wheel and evaluates driving dynamics; acceleration and braking performance; range; and efficiency. Antuan's goal is to use his extensive car knowledge to educate CNET readers and help with their next car-related buying decision. Whether you're EV-curious, an EV-enthusiast or a combustion-car loyalist, Antuan will bring you the unbiased advice, reviews, best lists and news you need. You can reach Antuan at antuan.goodwin@cnet.com
Expertise Nearly two decades of testing, driving, reporting on, writing about, reviewing, and editing content about electric and ICE cars. Category focus is on electrified cars, EVs, HEVs, PHEVs, ICE cars, EV infrastructure, EV chargers, EV adapters, EV news, auton Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Antuan Goodwin
2 min read
Roav by Anker

Anker's Roav automotive accessory brand has announced the Roav Bolt, a Google Home Mini for your car that can also charge your phone.

The Roav Bolt plugs directly into your cars 12-volt outlet and looks a lot like a regular, albeit slightly bulky, phone charger with its dual 2.4-amp USB charging ports and simple design. However, it packs in the power of Google Voice Assistant, presumably powered by your phone's data plan. A 3.5mm auxiliary output allows the Bolt to connect to older cars to send audio through the vehicle's speakers. Newer vehicles can take advantage of wireless Bluetooth connectivity.

Drivers can tap a physical button on the Bolt's face or use the "OK Google" voice command to let Google Assistant cue up songs, navigate to destinations, send text messages, control smart home devices and more. The device even has the four LEDs that illuminate to let you know when it's listening, just like Google Home devices. 

Roav Bolt by Anker
Roav by Anker

With its Bluetooth connection, the Bolt will also enable hands-free calling with dual noise-cancelling microphones, something that the standard Google Home Mini on your nightstand can't do.

The Roav Bolt looks like an interesting alternative to Android Auto for vehicles that don't support Google's phone-mirroring technology or for drivers who prefer a screen-free interface. Expect the Bolt to hit the road in February 2019 with an MSRP of $50.

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