Google Partners With Audi, GM, Honda & More to Integrate Android OS into Cars

Google building

Google building

Spend a lot of time in your car? You could soon be spending a lot more time with Android, too. Today Google, along with auto and tech manufacturer partners Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai and NVIDIA, announced its initiative to create an Android platform for cars. The project, called the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), aims to bring a safe and intuitive Android experience to cars by the end of the year.

Hopefully the alliance will make Android-connected cars a reality faster. Sundar Pichai, SVP of Android, Chrome & Apps at Google said:

“Millions of people are already familiar with Android and use it everyday. The expansion of the Android platform into automotive will allow our industry partners to more easily integrate mobile technology into cars and offer drivers a familiar, seamless experience so they can focus on the road.”

The Alliance is founded on an open development model and hopes its common platform will allow automakers to collaborate with developers, who can already begin building apps specially for cars. The OAA invites other automotive technology companies to join in its endeavor, according to a press release published on the OAA’s site.

Google is not the first company to integrate its OS into cars. Apple has already begun integrating an “Eyes-Free” Siri mode into the cars of partners BMW, Mercedes, GM, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Toyota, Chrysler and Honda, and the Sync system found in Ford vehicles is based on Microsoft technology.

Are you excited to have Android connectivity built into your next car?

Featured image by Shawn Collins

Lauren Mobertz

By Lauren Mobertz

Lauren is the former managing editor for DashBurst. One part geek, one part urban nomad, she is constantly scouting for the latest tech and world news. In the evenings you'll find Lauren running in strange places or attempting to dance salsa.