Android Automotive (AAOS) is an open-sourceoperating system designed for use in vehicle dashboards, based on Android. Introduced in March 2017,[3] it was developed by Google and Intel,[4] together with car manufacturers such as Volvo and Audi.[5] The project aims to provide an operating system codebase for vehicle manufacturers to develop their own distribution. Besides infotainment tasks, such as messaging, navigation and music playback, the operating system aims to handle vehicle-specific functions such as controlling the air conditioning.[5]
In contrast to Android Auto, Android Automotive is a full operating system running on the vehicle's device, not relying on a smartphone to operate.[6] As such, it has access to a limited number of apps on the Google Play Store.
Android Automotive is an open source operating system and, as such, a car manufacturer can use it without the proprietary Google Automotive Services (GAS)[7][8]—which is a car equivalent to the Google Mobile Services, i.e. a collection of applications and services like Google Maps and Google Assistant—that OEMs can license and integrate into their in-vehicle infotainment systems. Volvo, Renault, Ford and GM are using AAOS with GAS (advertised as "Cars with Google built-in" by Google[9]). In order to communicate with in-vehicle networks (IVI) such as the CAN bus, Android Automotive uses the Vehicle Hardware Abstraction Layer (VHAL), which serves as a bridge between the vehicle's hardware and software components. [10]
History
The operating system was first announced by Google in March 2017.
In February 2018, Polestar (Volvo's brand for electric performance cars) announced the Polestar 2, the first car with built-in Android Automotive. The Polestar 2 with Android Automotive is available since July 2020.[11]
In September 2018, the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance announced a technology partnership to embed the Android Automotive operating system in the group's vehicles starting in 2021.[12]
In April 2019 Google opened up the APIs for developers to start developing applications for Android Automotive.[3]
In September 2019 General Motors announced that they will use Android Automotive to power the infotainment systems in its cars starting in 2021.[13]
In July 2020, Stellantis (formerly Groupe PSA and FCA Group) announced they would power their infotainment systems with Android Automotive OS. This announcement was revoked in 2022.[14] Some vehicles from the group, like the 2021 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Pacifica, are already using the Android Automotive-based Uconnect 5,[15] without the Google Automotive Services (GAS).[16]
In February 2021, Ford announced a partnership with Google that would bring Android Automotive to Ford and Lincoln vehicles, starting in 2023.[17]
In May 2021, Lucid Motors revealed that the Lucid Air was using Android Automotive for its infotainment system,[18] but without the Google Automotive Services (GAS).
In September 2021, Honda announced that it would use Google's Android Automotive OS in its cars starting in 2022.[19]
In June 2022, BMW announced that it will be expanding its BMW Operating System 8 and integrating Android Automotive into certain models, starting in March 2023.[20] In January 2023, during the Consumer Electronics Show, BMW revealed that BMW Operating System 9 will be based on Android Automotive but without the Google Automotive Services (GAS). BMW OS 9 will feature the Aptoide app store, but lower OS versions will not.[21]
In March 2023, the Volkswagen Group announced that its future infotainment system, called One.Infotainment, will be based on Android Automotive (AOSP version),[22] and include an app store developed in partnership with Harman International.[23]
In May 2023, Google introduced Android Automotive OS 14 which enabled new capabilities for navigation apps allowing them to integrated with the gauge cluster and multi screen support to expand new experiences between the driver and passengers.[24]
In June 2023, Polestar announced its intention to use the Meizu Flyme Auto system in vehicles destined for the Chinese market.[25]
In October 2023, Porsche announced a collaboration with Google which will bring Android Automotive to the carmaker’s future vehicles. Google Maps, Google Assistant, and a wide variety of apps will be available through the Google Play Store.[26]
In December 2024, Hyundai Motor Group announced it adopted Google’s Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) to further broaden its software ecosystem.[27]
