Audi teams up with Google to develop on-board entertainment system

Google and Apple have now gotten involved in the battle between car manufacturers. After Apple announced its plan to collaborate with car manufacturers to ‘integrate’ its iOS devices into the cars, Google and Audi have now joined forces to develop an on-board entertainment and infotainment system. The announcement of the collaboration is expected to be made at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, this month. This system will be based on Google’s own Android mobile operating system. 

Along with Nvidia, a chip manufacturer, Google has plans to establish Android as important technology for cars. The system will allow users to use music, navigation, apps and services in cars similar to those available in the Android smartphones. 

Declining to comment on the announcement, Audi's head of product strategy Filip Brabec told The Wall Street Journal, “Cars are becoming more complex, and with the computing power that is going into vehicles, you need that type of system in the car”. He also added that future vehicles will need computer operating systems to support the kind of apps and functions that consumers want to access while driving.

Google’s move comes after Apple’s initiative in June to allow users to integrate its music devices and smartphones that run on iOS with the cars’ dashboard control panels. Apple and Ferrari were in talks for bringing more in-car entertainment which resulted in Ferrari unveiling the LaFerrari integrated with the iPad Mini. Currently, Apple also has such an agreement with Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Infiniti and General Motors for its future cars. Though unlike the Apple systems which require an iOS device, Google’s system will run on the car’s built-in hardware.