If it often befuddled you why carmakers like Ford were developing their own car infotainment system software, then that’s about to change. Ford has stated that starting in 2023, it will be turning to Google’s Android Automotive platform for the operating system of its vehicles and this will not be a one-off thing but rather millions of vehicles will be equipped with the software.
This will give Ford’s vehicles access to core Google services like Maps, Google Assistant, and other apps without needing an Android smartphone. Currently, via Android Auto users can mirror the features of their phones onto the infotainment system of their cars.
This integration will be deeper than what is possible via Android Auto. For instance, users will be able to summon the Google Assistant and say “okay Google” “make it warmer”. This will also enable OTA updates for adding features or addressing maintenance issues.
Ford is making a system that will still retain compatibility with Apple’s CarPlay and Amazon’s Alexa as options too. This will scale to millions of vehicles under the Ford and Lincoln brands, except in China where Google’s services are banned.