Ford cars will have Android installed from 2023
On Monday, Ford announced a partnership with Google to use Android Automotive in its infotainment systems. It won’t be this year or another, but not until 2023. The manufacturer for XDA mentioned that it will also use Google’s cloud services to cover artificial intelligence, data and machine learning.
Android Automotive is not Android Auto
Here we will deviate a bit from the topic because I want to explain to you what is and what is not Android Automotive. When you say Android in conjunction with a vehicle, most people imagine the Android Auto platform. However, it is only used to project content from the user’s mobile phone to the vehicle’s infotainment system using a USB cable or, newly, wirelessly.
Android Automotive is an independent system installed in the infotainment system and does not need your mobile to work. In short, it is full of Android, optimized for driver control on the dashboard. While Android Auto allows you to run only those applications that are optimized for AA, Android Automotive supports all applications for Android.
Android Auto has been supported by Ford vehicles for many years. As well as most common newer cars, almost all brands.
Ford will make full use of Android
With Android on board (literally), Ford will be able to send its customers maintenance alerts or even promotional offers (which may be turned off). Ford also mentioned that technology from Google will allow it to enhance the user experience by deploying innovative and personalized services (which it did not specify).
“At Ford, we are obsessed with giving our vehicles strong personalities. It includes exciting patterns that you can’t miss, but also unique vehicle experiences that make every journey more enjoyable and better than the last. ” said Ford in a blog post. “This means that whether our customers are working hard, looking for great adventures in nature or looking for peace on the road, we are building a future tailored to their needs.”
The partnership for Android Automotive also includes the creation of a joint Team Upshift group between Google and Ford.
“We are looking to leverage the talent and assets of both companies to push the boundaries of Ford’s transformation, unlock new personalized user experiences and create groundbreaking data-driven opportunities.” said Ford.“This can include projects ranging from upgrading our factories to an AI vision, developing new retail experiences when buying a vehicle, creating new ownership offerings based on attached vehicle data, and more.”
According to Wikipedia, in addition to Ford, Volvo also uses this new platform in its Polestar platform (in the Polestar 2 model). The Renault-Nissan-Mitusibshi Alliance will also start using Android Automotive in its models for this year. In 2023, we should also see vehicles with this platform from the Stellantis group (Opel, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo). Wondering where the famous Volkswagen Group is? But they have created their own platform, which they push across all brands (Škoda, Seat, Audi, Porsche…).
By the way, colleagues from Môjelektromobil.sk already had the honor of getting to know Android Automotive in the Polestar 2.
