[ad_1]
Google has announced a major partnership in the automotive industry, as it doubles its efforts to make Android the engine of automotive infotainment systems.
The internet giant has partnered with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, which, as its name suggests, constitutes a triumvirate of French and Japanese automakers. Together, the brands sold 10.6 million vehicles in 2017, representing one out of every nine cars sold worldwide.
Android in cars
Last year, Google first announced its intention to create an Android based infotainment system directly in cars, with Volvo and Audi among its first partners. It should be noted here that this is a completely separate proposal from Android Auto, which allows compatible cars to use Android via the driver's mobile phone.
With this new initiative, Android is directly integrated with the car's infotainment system, which should ensure a smoother and more integrated experience. This means that Google Maps, the company's Voice Activated Google Assistant and the Google Play Store will all be accessible via the car. This includes detailed navigation and voice-activated access to calls, messages and music, among other features.
"Our partnership with Google will provide users of our vehicles rich user experiences that are currently only available outside the vehicle or, to some extent, by connecting an Android device to supported vehicles," said Hadi Zablit, Vice President of Business Development at Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, in a press release. "We build embedded, powerful, connected, and transparent experiences in our vehicles, in addition to the functionality of Google apps and services that many users are used to."
While Volvo and Audi were committed last year to have Android vehicles in circulation in a few years – ie during 2019 – Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi have set a target of 2021 to release the first Android vehicles in the chain mounting.
Voice
The increasing role of voice assistants in the automotive sector should also be emphasized. As Google, Amazon and Apple are fighting to ensure control of the smart home with a growing range of smart connected devices, so does the automobile. While Alexa from Amazon was already available in some cars last month, the company launched the auto development kit to make Alexa even more vehicles.
As part of the integrated operating system of millions of cars around the world, Google Assistant is becoming more prevalent wherever you move.
"In the future, the Google Assistant, which uses Google's leading AI technology, can become the primary way to interact with its vehicles, hands-free," adds Kal Mos, Global Vice President of Connected Vehicles Alliance at Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi. "With Google Maps and the Google Assistant integrated with Alliance infotainment systems, our customers will have some of the most advanced AI applications available. And thanks to integrated access to the Google Play Store, our customers will benefit from an open and secure ecosystem of Android apps designed for vehicles.
Source link
