MS Confident with Embedded Automotive Software on In-Car Entertainment
After the new Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), carmakers Audi, General
Motors, Honda, Hyundai teaming up with Google aims to get Android
inside cars – Microsoft says they are confident to keep their market
share. Microsoft, whose “Embedded Automotive” software is already used
in vehicles made by Ford, Fiat, Kia and Nissan. Microsoft announced its
own “Auto PC” initiative – with companies including Citroen, Nissan,
Hyundai, and device makers including Samsung.
Today, Microsoft already has applications in place for “information sharing” between cars, such as Autolib, a Paris-based car-sharing system.
In-Car Entertainment, (sometimes referred to as ICE, or IVI as in In-Vehicle Infotainment), is a collection of hardware devices installed into automobiles, or other forms of transportation, to provide audio and audio visual entertainment, as well as automotive navigation systems (SatNav).
This includes playing media such as CDs, DVDs, Freeview TV, USB and other optional surround sound, or DSP systems. Also increasingly common in ICE installs are the incorporation of video game consoles into the vehicle
Apple too is working with vehicle manufacturers on “iOS in the Car, which was announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. The latest beta version of its iOS 7.1 software includes some settings which would enable that – suggesting that early implementations are imminent.
The iOS in the Car project says it will include the voice-operated Siri system, GPS and telephone functionality, embedded in the systems. Apple has lined up a large group of participants, including BMW, Acura, Audi, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volvo.
The presence of Audi, General Motors and Hyundai in both Apple’s and Google’s alliances points to wariness on their part to being locked in to any one platform in case it leads to incompatibility which could lose a sale if a customer doesn’t have the right device to connect to the car.
Since 2009 a separate car business group, the GENIVI Alliance, has been working on in-car apps and systems for “infotainment”, and in 2010 adopted the open source Meego platform initially developed – but then abandoned – by Nokia. GENIVI’s members include Volvo, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan and others – and the group is giving a presentation at CES this week entitled “Collaborate or Die” (PDF).
A growing number of accessory makers are making systems which hook into cars’ computer-controlled engine control units (ECUs) to report data about trips. Those can be compatible with both Android and iPhones through suitable apps, or with any platform via Bluetooth.
Today, Microsoft already has applications in place for “information sharing” between cars, such as Autolib, a Paris-based car-sharing system.
In-Car Entertainment, (sometimes referred to as ICE, or IVI as in In-Vehicle Infotainment), is a collection of hardware devices installed into automobiles, or other forms of transportation, to provide audio and audio visual entertainment, as well as automotive navigation systems (SatNav).
This includes playing media such as CDs, DVDs, Freeview TV, USB and other optional surround sound, or DSP systems. Also increasingly common in ICE installs are the incorporation of video game consoles into the vehicle
Apple too is working with vehicle manufacturers on “iOS in the Car, which was announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. The latest beta version of its iOS 7.1 software includes some settings which would enable that – suggesting that early implementations are imminent.
The iOS in the Car project says it will include the voice-operated Siri system, GPS and telephone functionality, embedded in the systems. Apple has lined up a large group of participants, including BMW, Acura, Audi, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volvo.
The presence of Audi, General Motors and Hyundai in both Apple’s and Google’s alliances points to wariness on their part to being locked in to any one platform in case it leads to incompatibility which could lose a sale if a customer doesn’t have the right device to connect to the car.
Since 2009 a separate car business group, the GENIVI Alliance, has been working on in-car apps and systems for “infotainment”, and in 2010 adopted the open source Meego platform initially developed – but then abandoned – by Nokia. GENIVI’s members include Volvo, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan and others – and the group is giving a presentation at CES this week entitled “Collaborate or Die” (PDF).
A growing number of accessory makers are making systems which hook into cars’ computer-controlled engine control units (ECUs) to report data about trips. Those can be compatible with both Android and iPhones through suitable apps, or with any platform via Bluetooth.
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