BMW is the most recent cab off the rank to join Google’s superior Android Automotive OS software program structure on which to run its infotainment techniques in new fashions from March subsequent yr.
Android Automotive has been gaining traction within the broader automotive trade together with Honda, Polestar, some Volvo fashions and the GMC Hummer EV, whereas some future Ford and Lincoln automobiles and different producers need to undertake the platform in future.
BMW plans to develop its Working System 8 infotainment software program utilizing Android Automotive for some automobile fashions from early subsequent yr however will keep the present Linux-based model for others.
The brand new OS may also have over-the-air software program updating functionality that, other than holding the automobile’s capabilities recent, can allow car-makers to bypass sure provide bottlenecks by making some options accessible through software program somewhat than {hardware} after the automobile has been delivered.
BMW Group lead developer for the digital driving expertise, Stephan Durach, mentioned adopting Android Automotive is about having a second technological method.
“We’re integrating the perfect elements of all worlds – that might be our personal in-house developments, open supply or business software program merchandise, relying on what the precise answer appears like,” he defined.
He added that BMW ensures prospects at all times have a novel, customised digital expertise of their automobile, and that the method for 2 software program platforms can fluctuate primarily based on which BMW collection it’s working on.
BMW is usually forward of the curve in adopting new connectivity applied sciences, being one of many first car-makers to incorporate wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and it was additionally early getting in on Apple’s model of a phone-as-a-key function that permits drivers to make use of the automobile with out a conventional fob.
Though BMW was late adopting Android Auto smartphone mirroring, as a result of nearly all of BMW homeowners had been discovered to be iPhone customers, with Android Automotive, BMW is getting in early.
Android Automotive is a full-on vehicular working system and platform working instantly on the in-vehicle {hardware}.
It may be embedded into automobile infotainment and instrument clusters and is a full-stack, open supply, extremely customizable platform powering the infotainment expertise. Android Automotive helps apps constructed for Android in addition to these constructed for Android Auto.
Android Automotive is to not be confused with Android Auto, which is Google’s platform working on the person’s cellphone, projecting the Android Auto person expertise to a suitable in-vehicle infotainment system over a USB or wi-fi connection.
With Android Automotive, Google desires to take its software program mass-market into many vehicles. With BMW on board, the stress is now on Apple and its new-generation CarPlay.
