Software the new core compentence

There is currently a lot of movement around the topic of ‘software oriented vehicle‘, parallel approaches and different cooperations. Software is becoming a core competence. The topic of the OS – operating system plays a particularly central role here.

Android Automotive is not Android Auto

First of all, it is important to note: Android Automotive OS ≠ Android Auto. Because although both systems have many things in common, one is pre-installed as a fixed operation system in the vehicle and the other can only be used in combination with a smartphone.

Important to know:

• Android Automotive is a operation system (AAOS) and completly based on Android OS (same code basis as Android for Smartphones!)
• AAOS is Open-Source (part of AOSP: android open source project) and can be used for free!
• AAOS is running on a HPCHPC  – High-Power-Charger. Charging power up to 950V and 500 Ampere / 450kW More (high performance computer) (see article: The change in the vehicle E/E-Architectures)
• AAOS is enhanced with automotive-specific requirements, features and technologies. Android Automotive will be a turnkey full-stack automotive infotainment platform
  
• AAOS has a very clear and easy to learn interface (user experience)

Software oriented vehicle

As vehicles become increasingly connected (see article: Innovation 2022 – CCI Study), the software and thus the vehicle-related operating system is becoming a new core competence in the automotive industry.
And: it’s about data, the control of data, the release of functions and one’s own freedoms, which would probably have to be curtailed or at least put into the hands of others in the case of cooperation.
All in all: ABOUT MONEY
And that’s why the question for German manufacturers is: With or without Google’s Playstore?

The use of Android Automotive is a very big step for vehicle manufacturers, on which an important part of their independence and perhaps their entire future depends.
With Android Automotive, OEMs completely hand over control of the entire infotainment area, of collected data and of the control of an increasing number of vehicle functions. This is because Google does not want to simply put Android Automotive on top of something that already exists, but demands maximum access to all data and control options in these areas.

But there are also alternatives to Google:

• Own development: extrem expensive, talent challenge (Toyota?, VW in 2025?)
• Android Automotive without Google Playstore (Daimler with Aptoide, BMW?)
• alternative systems and cooperations such as
  • Apple Carplay (various OEMs are interested, see article: Apple CarPlay update: deeper data access announced)
  • tencent
  • foxconn (Stellantis)

Will AAOS (Google) be the new hero in the Software oriented vehicle ?

Mercedes
Mercedes-Benz will use embedded Faurecia-Aptoide technology to power navigation and other vehicle infotainment functions in a crucial win for the app provider against Alphabet Inc’s Google to control car dashboards. From 2023 the joint venture between auto supplier Faurecia and independent app store Aptoide will be integrated im Mercedes MBUX multimedia system (offering nearly 250 apps – navigation, traffic, streaming, payment solution, information on parking and charging stations).

BMW
BMW is still keeping a very low profile. The only thing that is clear so far is that AAOS will not replace the company’s own OS8 system, but only complement it. This is planned for certain model series as a second technological approach alongside the current Linux-based variant. BMW want to use Android Automotive without Google Playstore (see Daimler) and probably in smaller series and models that will not have an iDrive controller in the future.
OS7/OS8 are BMW’s own developments.

Android w/o Google: Let’s see how this works out for cars.

Volvo / Polestar 2 (Geely)
AAOS is fully intergrated in the Polestar 2. AAOS is also planned for the next XC40.

FORD
Google and Ford have already announced a long-term strategic partnership in 2021 to drive the car company’s digital transformation.
Similar to Polestar, AAOS will take on a central role (navigation, voice assistant, play store, etc.) at Ford.
Due to delays in AAOS development for Ford, current new vehicles (F150) are delivered with the ‘old’ Ford Synch.

General Motors
General Motors has become the first US manufacturer to announce to use AAOS and is doing this since 2021.

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi
The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world and announced years ago (2018) that it wanted to rely entirely on Android.

the exceptions

VW
AAOS is scheduled to launch at Volkswagen in 2023, along with the PPEPPE- Premium Platform Electric – developed for premium cars of the VW Company to add more features such as large batterys for the more expensive cars. More platform and the Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron. At the moment, AAOS will only be available for this electric platform and these two premium suppliers, not for VW, Seat and Skoda. VW want to use Android Automotive without Google Playstore.
But VW is also developing VW.OS Version 2.0, planned for 2025 (see article: The change in the vehicle E/E-Architectures).
The software is developed by the CARIAD.

Stellantis
Foxconn is becoming an increasingly important player in the automotive world. The Taiwanese contract manufacturer (e.g. Apple supplier) is to develop a new platform for the cluster and mobile services (“STLA-Brain”) for the Stellantis-Group (Alfa, Chrysler, Jeep, Opel,…)  for 2024. For this purpose, Stellantis and Foxconn have founded the automotive supplier company: Mobile Drive.

Toyota
Toyota Motor plans to develop its own automotive software platform (“Arene”) by 2025 that handles everything from basic functions to advanced applications like autonomous driving.

• googlewatchblog.de
• automotiveit.eu
• source.android.com
• wikipedia
• mobiflip.de
• heise.de
• stellantis.com
• bmw.de
• ford.com
• blog.renault.de
• handelsblatt.de