In the keynote of Google’s I/O Event, they finally introduced Android Auto. This version of Android is meant to be fully controlled by voice and like most other in car app, it will help users navigate, communicate and listen to music in their cars. Android Auto automatically brings you useful information, and organises it into simple cards that appear just when they’re needed.
Android Auto was designed with safety in mind. With a simple and intuitive interface, integrated steering wheel controls, and powerful new voice actions, it’s designed to minimise distraction so you can stay focused on the road. Google Maps leads the way for navigation. It’s easy to get where you’re going with free voice-guided navigation, live traffic information, lane guidance, and more. Since Waze is also owned by Google, I really do hope that there will be some sort of integration for Waze as well.
Of course, as the name signifies, it is driven by Android phones. With Android phones capturing a larger market compared to other operating systems, this is indeed a smart choice for car manufacturers to reach out to a large audience world wide.
Already this initiative is part of the Open Automotive Alliance we reported back in January 2014 and that brings quite a number of car manufacturer who opted to join this alliance instead of Apple’s CarPlay.
