Google’s Android Automotive OS is coming to BMW cars next year

Google’s Android Automotive OS has been attaining traction in the business, and this week, BMW announced it will be adopting the system for some long term vehicles. The firm plans to build their BMW Working Technique 8 infotainment software program making use of Android Automotive for some motor vehicle versions commencing in March 2023 but also keep the current Linux-primarily based edition for others.

BMW Group’s guide developer for the digital driving encounter, Stephan Durach, stated it’s about acquiring a second technological method. “We are integrating the ideal aspects of all worlds — that could be our individual in-home developments, Open Source or industrial application items, based on what the certain option appears to be like like,” stated Durach.

Android Automotive is a whole-on vehicular operating program that can be embedded into auto infotainment and instrument clusters. Not to be confused with Android Vehicle, which is Google’s cellphone-to-dash relationship process equal to Apple’s CarPlay.

Durach explained they make positive shoppers generally have a special, tailored electronic knowledge in their car or truck, and the strategy for two program platforms can fluctuate centered on what BMW sequence it’s managing on, though the corporation did not offer any particulars past that. The new OS will also have above-the-air application updating functionality, a critical characteristic that permit the corporation just lately ship prospects automobiles with lacking features like Apple CarPlay thanks to offer chain problems.

BMW is ordinarily forward of the curve in adopting new connectivity technologies. It was a person of the first automakers to incorporate wireless Apple CarPlay, and it also was early getting in on Apple’s edition of a cell phone-as-a-vital characteristic that lets you travel away without a fob. BMW was late on adopting Android Auto, even though, considering that the majority of BMW homeowners have been found to be Iphone consumers. But with Android Automotive, BMW is dipping into a relatively vacant pool that contains Polestar, some Volvo products, GMC Hummer EV, Honda, and some long term Ford and Lincoln autos.

With Android Automotive, Google is seeking to choose its software program mass-market into many cars and trucks. And with BMW on board, the clock is ticking for Apple’s subsequent-technology CarPlay to capture up. But if BMW decides to aid Apple’s latest integrations in the upcoming, ideally it won’t check out to make it a subscription support again.