Audi, Volvo To Incorporate Android Infotainment System In Their Upcoming Cars

Car manufacturers Audi and Volvo have announced their plans to fully integrate Google’s Android Auto into their upcoming vehicles in the near future. For those not familiar with Android Auto, it is basically a mobile device interface that allows users access to auto related information, such as directions, incoming notifications, and entertainment options (especially music). Over the years, Google has continued to further polish the Android Auto platform, not only allowing the driver to have his smartphone interact with his car, but also to have the software itself serve as the backbone of the infotainment units of a particular make or model, especially those to be released soon by Audi and Volvo.

The general idea here, of course, is to give drivers easier access to whatever information and entertainment they need while they are behind the wheels, and those infotainment will be delivered through Google’s wide variety of mobile apps. For instance, Google Maps is quite obviously a useful tool for navigation purposes, especially when acquiring directions to the nearest gas station, for instance. And navigation is just the tip of the iceberg -- drivers can also take full advantage of other Android powered apps in controlling their car’s air conditioning, opening the sun roof, closing the windows, or when requesting their digital assistant to recap the day’s reminders, or when playing a favorite playlist on Spotify.

Google’s annual I/O developer conference is fast approaching, and for sure, the tech giant will be eager to highlight the latest advances it has achieved when it comes to software. The company is hoping it can replicate the success of Android a few years back, when it had started to convince phone makers to build their products with the mobile operating system’s capabilities in mind. Google is now hoping to do that, too, for car makers, convincing them to manufacture cars that integrate Android Auto as a preloaded feature, so to speak.

Google has been busy giving everybody an idea of how cool Android Auto can be. Some may remember that during the 2016 I/O developer conference, the company actually managed to successfully demo a Maserati powered by Android Auto. While it is true that a few of today’s cars already have impressive automotive displays, wouldn’t it be really nice to actually have one that functions like a mobile device’s display screen, complete with apps and other tools? Audi and Volvo are starting to join in on the fun. Perhaps in a few years, more car makers will, too.