Project Cars Android

1 view

Skip to first unread message

Neomi Bensch

unread,

Aug 3, 2024, 4:22:07 PM8/3/24

to sioclimeros

You can think of Android Automotive as an embedded Android version. Other embedded operating systems exist for vehicle head units, such as Linux, Windows, or QNX. Android Automotive is specifically designed for vehicles to work as an Android infotainment system and is highly customizable by the car manufacturer.

Android Auto, on the other hand, is phone-based and projects itself into the infotainment system of compatible vehicles. This way drivers can do everything directly from the driver's seat, all with voice commands and minimal touch interaction. It comes pre-installed on certain car infotainment systems and Android devices that have Google Mobile Services. Unlike Automotive, where the appearance relies on the car manufacturer, Auto offers a distinct look no matter which car the user is viewing it on.

Android Auto offers easy setup and a seamless phone-to-car screen mirroring experience. Its hands-free access to essential apps ensures safer driving practices. It's a convenient and secure way to stay connected behind the wheel.

For head units and Android versions predating A12, Android Auto remains available. However, on smartphones, it's succeeded by the modern Google Assistant Driving Mode, albeit briefly. Its features are now integrated into Maps, reflecting most users' preference for interaction directly via Maps over the car dashboard.

Various 2021 and 2022 Volvo models use Android Automotive. Ford started releasing Android Automotive as of its 2023 models, as did Honda with its 2023 Accord model. Chevrolet, Cadillac, Lincoln, and Nissan will all be releasing models in 2024 that have Android Automotive installed as their infotainment system.

It is important for cars to have internet connection to receive Over-the-Air updates, ensuring timely firmware and app updates, bug fixes, and security patches to improve performance and safety features.

To use Android Auto, you need an Android device because it only works through the connection. A variety of car infotainment systems and all big smartphone providers have Android Auto and its newer smartphone counterparts preinstalled.

Android Auto supports Google apps such as Maps for navigation and a wide variety of other Android apps. However, app developers have been slow to adapt apps to work on Android Automotive OS. No recent official list exists for which apps work on Android Automotive. However, by the end of 2022, only 38 apps worked on Android Automotive. This will possibly change now that more vehicles are being introduced with the Android Automotive OS. However, app-based navigation is possible, especially if Google apps, including Google Maps, are installed on the corresponding Android car operating system.

In Android Automotive OS, we talk about Google Automotive Services (GAS). Like GMS, Google Automotive Services offer Google's apps and licenses OEMs to use them. In addition, app providers need to become GAS partners to be able to add their apps to the Android Automotive OS specific Play Store. This way, Google makes sure that all apps are specifically enhanced to be used in vehicle cockpits.

Android Automotive OS comes powered with the Over-the-Air (OTA) updating abilities of its phone/tablet counterparts. OTA updates are crucial to ensure the integrity of Android. Since modern cars are software-defined vehicles, updates play a key role in ensuring software security and the safety of drivers.

Updates happen too often to expect car owners to visit a dealership every time an update is available. And urgent updates must be delivered as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the vehicle. The remote distribution of updates is, therefore, more important than ever.

Android Automotive without GAS comes with the functionality to carry out OTA updates but not the infrastructure to roll them out. OEMs that choose to install Android Automotive will need to factor in how to carry out these OTA updates.

This is where emteria can help. We provide everything you need to build, deliver, and install OTA updates for your Android Automotive OS through a secured infrastructure. Automatic CI/CD pipelines build full Android images and FOTA update packages (firmware-over-the-air update packages) and distribute them remotely into the cockpit of all connected vehicles.

Emteria specializes in custom Android OS development and provides enterprise-grade Android OS solutions for many hardware types. Implementing Android Automotive in a vehicle requires more than a stable operating system. It also requires a lot of customizations, the mentioned infrastructure for Over-the-Air software updates and a team to provide regular maintenance and bugfixes. Emteria has this infrastructure in place and stands ready to offer Android Automotive customization to your company.

emteria solves the challenge of customizing and maintaining Android OS for off-the-shelf hardware and industrial platforms. Our users operate and update thousands of devices running a modern Android operating system on one management platform.