Android Automotive

This article is about the operating system tailored for cars. For the application intended for using an Android device in a vehicle, see Android Auto.

Android Automotive (AAOS) is an open-source operating system designed for use in vehicle dashboards, based on Android. Introduced in March 2017,^[3] it was developed by Google and Intel,^[4] together with car manufacturers such as Volvo and Audi.^[5] The project aims to provide an operating system codebase for vehicle manufacturers to develop their own distribution. Besides infotainment tasks, such as messaging, navigation and music playback, the operating system aims to handle vehicle-specific functions such as controlling the air conditioning.^[5]

Android Automotive

Android Automotive running on a Polestar 2
Developer	Google
OS family	Android, Linux
Initial release	March 2017; 7 years ago (March 2017)
Latest release	Android Automotive 14[1] / 4 October 2023; 15 months ago (2023-10-04)[2]
Kernel type	Monolithic (Linux kernel)
Official website	https://built-in.google/cars/

In contrast to Android Auto, Android Automotive is a full operating system running on the vehicle's device, not relying on a smartphone to operate.^[6] As such, it has access to a limited number of apps on the Google Play Store.

Android Automotive is an open source operating system and, as such, a car manufacturer can use it without the proprietary Google Automotive Services (GAS)^[7][8]—which is a car equivalent to the Google Mobile Services, i.e. a collection of applications and services like Google Maps and Google Assistant—that OEMs can license and integrate into their in-vehicle infotainment systems. Volvo, Renault, Ford and GM are using AAOS with GAS (advertised as "Cars with Google built-in" by Google^[9]). In order to communicate with in-vehicle networks (IVI) such as the CAN bus, Android Automotive uses the Vehicle Hardware Abstraction Layer (VHAL), which serves as a bridge between the vehicle's hardware and software components. ^[10]

History

The operating system was first announced by Google in March 2017.

In February 2018, Polestar announced the Polestar 2, the first car with built-in Android Automotive. The Polestar 2 with Android Automotive is available since July 2020.^[11]

In September 2018, the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance announced a technology partnership to embed the Android Automotive operating system in the group's vehicles starting in 2021.^[12]

In April 2019 Google opened up the APIs for developers to start developing applications for Android Automotive.^[3]

In September 2019 General Motors announced that they will use Android Automotive to power the infotainment systems in its cars starting in 2021.^[13]

In July 2020, Stellantis (formerly Groupe PSA and FCA Group) announced they would power their infotainment systems with Android Automotive OS. This announcement was revoked in 2022.^[14]
Some vehicles from the group, like the 2021 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Pacifica, are already using the Android Automotive-based Uconnect 5,^[15] without the Google Automotive Services (GAS).^[16]

In February 2021, Ford announced a partnership with Google that would bring Android Automotive to Ford and Lincoln vehicles, starting in 2023.^[17]

In May 2021, Lucid Motors revealed that the Lucid Air was using Android Automotive for its infotainment system,^[18] but without the Google Automotive Services (GAS).

In September 2021, Honda announced that it would use Google's Android Automotive OS in its cars starting in 2022.^[19]

In June 2022, BMW announced that it will be expanding its BMW Operating System 8 and integrating Android Automotive into certain models, starting in March 2023.^[20] In January 2023, during the Consumer Electronics Show, BMW revealed that BMW Operating System 9 will be based on Android Automotive but without the Google Automotive Services (GAS). BMW OS 9 will feature the Aptoide app store, but lower OS versions will not.^[21]

In March 2023, the Volkswagen Group announced that its future infotainment system, called One.Infotainment, will be based on Android Automotive (AOSP version),^[22] and include an app store developed in partnership with Harman International.^[23]

In May 2023, Google introduced Android Automotive OS 14 which enabled new capabilities for navigation apps allowing them to integrated with the gauge cluster and multi screen support to expand new experiences between the driver and passengers.^[24]

In June 2023, Polestar announced its intention to use the Meizu Flyme Auto system in vehicles destined for the Chinese market.^[25]

In October 2023, Porsche announced a collaboration with Google which will bring Android Automotive to the carmaker’s future vehicles. Google Maps, Google Assistant, and a wide variety of apps will be available through the Google Play Store.^[26]

In December 2024, Hyundai Motor Group announced it adopted Google’s Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) to further broaden its software ecosystem.^[27]

Vehicles with Android Automotive (with GAS)

• Alpine A290
• Acura ADX (2026+)
• Acura MDX (2025+)
• Acura ZDX (2024+)
• Buick Enclave (2025+)
• Buick Envision (2024+)
• Cadillac Celestiq
• Cadillac CT5 (2025+)
• Cadillac Escalade IQ
• Cadillac Lyriq^[28]
• Cadillac Optiq
• Cadillac Vistiq
• Cadillac XT4 (2024+)
• Chevrolet Blazer EV
• Chevrolet Colorado (2023+)
• Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, Z06 (2024+)
• Chevrolet Equinox (2025+)
• Chevrolet Equinox EV
• Chevrolet Silverado (2022+)^[29]
• Chevrolet Silverado EV
• Chevrolet Suburban (2022+)
• Chevrolet Tahoe (2022+)
• Chevrolet Traverse (2024+)
• Ford Expedition (2025+)
• Ford Explorer (2025+)
• GMC Acadia (2024+)
• GMC Canyon (2023+)
• GMC Hummer EV
• GMC Sierra (2022+)
• GMC Terrain (2025+)
• GMC Yukon (2022+)
• Honda Accord (2023+)
• Honda Civic (2025+)
• Honda Passport (2025+)
• Honda Prologue (2024+)
• Infiniti QX80 (2025+)
• Lincoln Aviator (2025+)
• Lincoln Nautilus (2024+)
• Lincoln Navigator (2025+)
• Mitsubishi ASX (2024+)
• Nissan Armada (2025+)
• Nissan Murano (2025+)
• Nissan Patrol (2025+)
• Nissan Qashqai (2024+)
• Nissan Rogue (2024+)
• Polestar 2
• Polestar 3
• Polestar 4
• Polestar 5
• Renault 4 E-Tech
• Renault 5 E-Tech
• Renault Austral
• Renault Captur (2024+)
• Renault Espace (2024+)
• Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric^[30]
• Renault Master (2024+)
• Renault Rafale
• Renault Scénic E-Tech (2025+)
• Renault Symbioz
• Volvo C40 / EC40
• Volvo EX30
• Volvo EX90
• Volvo S60 (2023+)
• Volvo S90 (2022+)
• Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country (2023+)
• Volvo V90, V90 Cross Country (2022+)
• Volvo XC40 (excluding T2 engine model) (2023+)
• Volvo XC40 Recharge / EX40 (only BEV version)
• Volvo XC60 (2022+)
• Volvo XC90 (2023+)

Vehicles with Android Automotive (without GAS)

• Alfa Romeo Tonale
• Audi Q4 e-tron (2024+)
• Audi Q5 (2024+)
• Audi Q6 e-tron (2024+)
• Audi Q8 e-tron (2024+)
• Audi Q8 (2024+)
• Audi A3 (2024+)
• Audi A5 (2024+)
• Audi A6 (2024+)
• Audi A7 (2024+)
• Audi A8 (2024+)
• Audi e-tron GT (2024+)
• BMW X1 (2023+)
• BMW X2 (2024+)
• BMW X3 (2024+)
• BMW 1 Series (2024+)
• Chrysler Pacifica (2021+)
• Dacia Duster (2024+)
• Dodge Durango (2021+)
• Dodge Hornet (2021+)
• Fiat New 500
• Lotus Eletre
• Lotus Emeya
• Lucid Air
• Lynk & Co 01
• Lynk & Co 02
• Maserati Ghibli (2022+)
• Maserati GranTurismo (2022+)
• Maserati Grecale (2022+)
• Maserati Levante (2022+)
• Maserati MC20 (2022+)
• Maserati Quattroporte (2022+)
• Nissan Interstar (2024+)
• Porsche Macan (2024+)
• Porsche Taycan (2025+)
• Rivian R1S
• Rivian R1T
• Togg T10X

See also

• QNX

References

1. "Android Automotive OS Releases". source.android.com. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
2. "Android Automotive 14 Release Details". source.android.com. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
3. "Google opens Android Automotive to app developers". VentureBeat. May 2019.
4. "Developing Amazing Android Automotive In-vehicle Infotainment Experiences". Intel.
5. "No, Android Auto is not an Infotainment OS; Make Way for Android Automotive!". 2017-06-13. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
6. "What is Android Automotive?". youtube.
7. "Differentiating Android Automotive with AOSP & Google Services". 2020-07-29.
8. Sattelberg, Will (2022-09-16). "Android Auto vs. Android Automotive vs. Google Automotive Services (GAS)". Android Police. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
9. "Cars with Google built-in, A more connected, personal, and helpful drive". Google built-in. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
10. PRIDRIVE: An Advanced Privacy Analysis Tool for Android Automotive (PDF). Symposium on Vehicles Security and Privacy (VehicleSec) 2024. February 2024. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024.
11. "First European Polestar 2 customer car delivered". www.polestar.com. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
12. "Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi and Google join forces on Next-Generation infotainment". Nissan Global Newsroom. September 2018.
13. O'Kane, Sean (2019-09-05). "GM will use Google's embedded Android Automotive OS in cars starting in 2021". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
14. "Android Automotive will run natively on vehicles from Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot, more". 9to5Google. July 2020.
15. "Hands-on with Stellantis' new Android-based Uconnect 5 infotainment". Ars Technica. February 2021.
16. "What is Android Automotive?".
17. "Here's Why We're Co-Creating Our Future with Google". Medium. February 2021.
18. Korosec, Kirsten (2021-05-27). "Lucid Motors reveals all the tech inside its all-electric Air sedan". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
19. "Honda and Google Collaborate on In-vehicle Connected Services". Honda Newsroom. September 2021.
20. "BMW Group expands BMW Operating System 8, integrates Android Automotive OS". BMW Group PressClub. June 2022.
21. "BMW iDrive 9 Coming to BMW X1 in Two Months, iDrive 8.5 to others". BMW Blog. January 2023.
22. "How new infotainment will shape the future customer experience". CARIAD. September 2021.
23. "Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche are getting their own in-car app store — and yes, that includes TikTok". The Verge. March 2023.
24. "What's new with Android for Cars: I/O 2023". Android Developers Blog. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
25. "Polestar partners with Geely's Meizu to build Chinese operating system". Reuters. June 2023.
26. "Porsche expands partnership with Google". Porsche Newsroom. October 2023.
27. "Hyundai Motor Group and Google Collaborate on Software Capability for Future Mobility Innovation". Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai. December 2024.
28. "Cadillac Lyriq EV features Android Automotive with wide landscape touchscreen". 9to5Google. September 2021.
29. "The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado gets a tech upgrade, hands-free trailering and a new ZR2 off-road flagship". TechCrunch. September 2021.
30. "Qualcomm Works with Google to Bring Premium and Intelligent In-Vehicle Experiences to Renault Group's Mégane E-TECH Electric". Qualcomm.com. September 2021.

External links

• Official website
• Android Automotive page at the AOSP