Google partners with the world's largest automotive group to put Android on cars

Starting in 2021, millions of cars around the world can have multimedia displays powered by Google's Android operating system. Google is partnering with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, which sells more cars than any other group of automakers, to build the operating system of entertainment systems and GPS. These new systems will offer apps through the Play Store, navigation on Google Maps and voice commands via Google Assistant.

"In the future, the Google Assistant, which uses Google's advanced technology, can become the primary means of interacting with its vehicles, hands-free," said Renault's global vice president of connected vehicles. Nissan-Mitsubishi, Kal Mos.

Last year, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance sold 10.6 million cars worldwide and sold 5.54 million vehicles as of June 30 this year. So we can expect similar numbers for 2018. Android Thus, the total number of vehicles that Google ultimately uses could be significantly changed. The alliance estimates that it will sell more than 14 million cars by 2022.

As The Wall Street Journal notes, Google has tried to enter the car space for more than a decade. His efforts have been somewhat hampered because automakers are looking to Google and other technology giants as potential competitors who can take advantage of user data. Many automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW prefer to create their own proprietary GPS systems rather than letting companies like Google, but they have been struggling to streamline technology.

Nevertheless, since many drivers just put their phone on the dashboard and use Google Maps and Waze to navigate the traffic, the popularity of these applications compared to the systems of auto companies is already there. Google also offers its Android operating system and its services like Android Auto, which should ease the transition. At the I / O developer conference held earlier this year, Google and Volvo introduced a 2020 model XC40 that runs in Android Auto mode, with Volvo's Sensus skin on Android Pie. Ultimately, the user will be prompted to authorize Google to collect and analyze data through its applications, according to the WSJ.

It will not be all Google, however. The systems will still be compatible with mobile devices running other operating systems such as Apple's CarPlay, so it looks like builders are retaining their options.