The feature, called Car Widgets, appears in a preview within Android Auto version 16.8 and could be officially unveiled at Google I/O on 19 May.
Users would be able to add glanceable information and quick controls, with a widget picker, featured section and previews for items such as calendar, weather and phone battery.
The feature arrives 11 years after Android Auto launched and remains unfinished, but a broader rollout could help Google narrow or surpass Apple CarPlay, which added widgets in 2019.
Will Android Auto's new widgets enhance the driving experience or just add another layer of digital distraction to the dashboard?
Are 'Car Widgets' just the friendly face of Google's much deeper and more controversial ambition to control the entire vehicle?