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Google is taking a giant step in the automotive industry by partnering with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to use the company's Android operating system to power the media display that will be sold in millions of cars around the world.
The alliance, which sells more vehicles than any other automaker, chooses Google to provide the operating system for its next-generation infotainment system, a major victory for Silicon Valley's technology giant. spent more decade trying to replicate the success that he had with the smartphone in the car.
The alliance, which sold 10.6 million vehicles worldwide last year, will launch the new system in 2021, offering drivers better integration of Google maps, app store and voice assistant dashboard.
This evolution comes as other car manufacturers have been reluctant to give control of this space to their technological competitors, in part because they believe that technology generates valuable data for the consumer that can be turned into new sources of revenue. .
Many drivers remain attached to their phone, choosing to use them in their car to call instructions and perform other tasks. The automotive industry has struggled to develop interfaces that are as reliable and easy to use. Many car systems are too complicated and problematic, say industry analysts and experts.
Alliance leaders said many customers are already predisposed to using Google's apps compared to those developed by automakers and their suppliers. And these leaders became familiar with Google, which began to open its software in 2007.
"Confidence has been created in recent years," said Kal Mos, vice president of connected vehicles for the alliance.
This deal will likely put pressure on Alliance competitors to open their car's multimedia systems further to Google or
Apple
Inc.
another software giant is trying to play a bigger role in the auto industry. The ultimate vision for Google is to create a broad ecosystem for its users, so that they can move their digital life effortlessly between devices, be it a car, a home or a smartphone.
The companies refused to disclose the terms of the partnership. Mr. Mos will have access to the data generated by his embedded applications, but will first have to obtain the customer 's authorization before collecting them.
These embedded operating systems in cars have become a major difference for automakers in recent years because they have bridged the gap between them in other areas, such as quality and reliability. Customers, meanwhile, expect a user experience similar to that of their smartphones.
J.D. Power's initial quality study ranked today's embedded multimedia systems issues as the "most problematic" category for new car owners. Consumer Reports magazine, known for its recommendations for buying substandard electronics, is now following the most distracting systems.
As more and more vehicles are connected to the Internet via integrated modems, industry experts expect new activities to emerge for the data generated by the car's on-board electronics. Many automakers say they want to keep control over the licensing of this data to third parties and see it as a valuable point of contact with customers after they leave the showroom.
Since 2005, Google, Alphabet Inc., is trying to trace a path in the car.
Volkswagen
AG
Audi was the first to put Google Earth in its onboard navigation systems. Volvo Cars has announced that its new-generation embedded infotainment system would run on Android, the operating system of Google.
But in general, automakers have been reluctant to go too far with Google, not knowing how their business models will evolve, said Mark Boyadjis, a world leader in technology for
IHS Markit
.
"Apple went on the market with iTunes, invented it as a way to protect the music industry and then took over the music industry," Mr. Boyadjis said. Automakers are wondering, "How much to give to this technological company?" He added.
Google is working to solve these problems by making available its Android operating system for free.
IHS Markit estimates that car manufacturers this year use a certain level of Android software in 19% of infotainment systems installed in vehicles worldwide. In doing so, automakers are creating their own ecosystem of users.
Google has also offered Android Auto to automakers to allow users to pair their smartphones on the dashboard screen. Apple has a similar product, marketed under the name Apple CarPlay.
Apart from cars, Google's operating system has become dominant, operating in over 80% of the world's smartphones.
Silicon Valley's growing interest in the automotive industry has baffled automakers around the world, not least because Google's standalone car project, which has become a standalone company called Waymo, aims to commercialize riders this year.
Write to Tim Higgins at [email protected] and Chester Dawson at [email protected]
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