BMW is the newest to undertake Android Automotive

Google’s Android Automotive OS has been gaining traction within the trade, and this week, BMW introduced it will be adopting the platform for some future vehicles. The firm plans to develop their BMW Operating System 8 infotainment software program utilizing Android Automotive for some automobile fashions starting in March 2023 but in addition preserve the present Linux-based model for others.

BMW Group’s lead developer for the digital driving expertise, Stephan Durach, stated it’s about having a second technological method. “We are integrating the best aspects of all worlds — that could be our own in-house developments, Open Source or commercial software products, depending on what the specific solution looks like,” stated Durach.

Android Automotive is a full-on vehicular working system that may be embedded into automotive infotainment and instrument clusters. Not to be confused with Android Auto, which is Google’s phone-to-dash connection system equal to Apple’s CarPlay.

Durach stated they be certain that prospects at all times have a novel, personalized digital expertise of their automobile, and the method for 2 software program platforms can range primarily based on what BMW collection it’s operating on, although the corporate didn’t present any particulars past that. The new OS will even have over-the-air software program updating functionality, an important characteristic that permit the corporate just lately ship prospects autos with lacking options like Apple CarPlay because of provide chain points.

BMW is often forward of the curve in adopting new connectivity applied sciences. It was one of many first automakers to incorporate wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and it additionally was early getting in on Apple’s model of a phone-as-a-key characteristic that permits you to drive away with no fob. BMW was late on adopting Android Auto, although, because the majority of BMW homeowners have been discovered to be iPhone customers. But with Android Automotive, BMW is dipping into a comparatively empty pool that features Polestar, some Volvo fashions, GMC Hummer EV, Honda, and a few future Ford and Lincoln autos.

With Android Automotive, Google is seeking to take its software program mass-market into many vehicles. And with BMW on board, the clock is ticking for Apple’s next-generation CarPlay to catch up. But if BMW decides to assist Apple’s newest integrations sooner or later, hopefully it received’t attempt to make it a subscription service once more.