Google’s Waymo and Fiat Chrysler developed an Android infotainment system.
Although the Google has officially renounced the idea of developing its own self-driving car, it is still keen on developing the required technology through the recently established Waymo department. It seems that Google’s success with Android on phone and tablets wasn’t enough for them, and have also developed an Android infotainment system in partnership with Fiat Chrysler.
Waymo’s partnership with Fiat was mostly based on the automaker delivering a fleet of Chrysler Pacifica minivans to Waymo, where they can be equipped with the self-driving technology and then released on the streets for testing. It seems that their collaboration consisted in more than it was previously announced, as they have announced that future Fiat Chrysler cars will feature the upcoming Android infotainment which also functions as a platform to connect your car to the Android ecosystem.
Patrick Brady, the Director of Android Engineering at Google, revealed that the company is committed to developing Android as an automotive platform, which allows for a deep integration with vehicles in a seamless and safe way.
The new infotainment system is called Uconnect and will be based on Android Nougat 7.0 to provide a wide range of features, such as compatibility with the Android app for traditional in-car controls like heat, the AC, radio, and more.
This collaboration on the development of an infotainment system will integrate Fiat cars into Google’s ecosystem. It will give customers a lot of options regarding how they want to customize and control the features of the car, while Fiat Chrysler is still able to maintain control over the brand, design of their interface and their customer relationship.
Many Android fans wouldn’t prefer that automaker such as Fiat Chrysler to have control over both the look and the feel of a car’s Android software. However, auto companies do have to meet certain strict rules in designing the interface as to prevent driver distraction and they do like to maintain control over the general customer experience in their car, despite outsourcing most of the software.
The Android infotainment system will be available for testing during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 5th.
Image source: Pixabay
