Following the seamless integration of iOS devices and car dashboard systems by Apple's Carplay in-vehicle system, Google has also announced the launch of the Android car system Android Auto. The two IT giants have formed a "double-headed game" for the intelligent layout of cars. "pattern.
The industry analysts believe that the Internet giant is constantly exploring the tentacles of the car products as the ultimate mobile terminal. With the gradual development of the "squid" effect, the intelligent process with the automotive electronics as the benchmark will be greatly accelerated.
Building a cross-carrier platform Google's Android Auto system includes Google Play Music, Google Maps, and voice-triggered SMS. Compared with Apple's Carplay, Android Auto eliminates the need to click into the Internet mode. It relies on Google's powerful search engine to support full voice operation, and users can perform related search and route planning.
It is worth noting that Google's Android car system is not an embedded infotainment system, but a "projection" system, that is, a smartphone using Google's Android operating system can be controlled by the car's own display screen. Some insiders believe that this may be the consistent idea that Google will enter the smart home and smart wear with the Android system as the incision. Whether it is a car or a home, the mobile phone is still the core device that supports all the carriers.
As early as January 6 this year, Google has announced that it will establish an Open Automotive Alliance with a number of automakers such as General Motors, Honda, Audi and Hyundai, and chip maker Nvidia. Referred to as OAA, it aims to implant the open source system Android for mobile phones into car infotainment systems. At the 2014 Google I/O conference held recently, the Google Car OS Android Auto was officially released, marking the official launch of the Android system into the car application. According to the R&D stage code, the insider called the system “Google Auto Link (GAL)â€, which is the first product of Google-led OAA Alliance.
According to public information, the current OAA alliance has expanded to more than 40 companies, including Volvo, Volkswagen, Opel, Skoda, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Opel, Chevrolet, Infiniti, Bentley, Hyundai, Nissan, Suzuki, Audi, Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Ford, Mazda, Fiat, Maserati, Seat, Lotus, Kia, Dodge and Renault, and suppliers and IT companies such as Samsung, NVIDIA and Delphi are also on the list.
The two armies formed a formal confrontation with the senior executives of the company. The current changes in the automotive industry are facing two major trends. One is electrification, represented by new energy vehicles with pure electric routes; the second is intelligent, with cars. Electronics, car networking and autonomous driving are representative. From the current trend, the former is still dominated by auto companies, while the latter is forming a new pattern dominated by Internet giants.
The launch of Google Android Auto will definitely compete with Apple's newly developed CarPlay system a few months ago. As of March 2014, the first models to support CarPlay are from Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Volvo. Other car brands that will support CarPlay include BMW, Toyota, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi and Nissan. , Peugeot, Subaru, Suzuki and Ford. According to Google’s statement, car companies including Chrysler Group, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co., and Volkswagen Group have said they will be equipped with Android on production models. Automotive system.
The China Securities Journal reporter learned from the automotive industry that as a new thing, many car companies have adopted the "two-boat" strategy for intelligent attempts. Taking Hyundai Motor as an example, as one of the first car companies to use a third-party in-vehicle operating system, the company plans to use all of the car operating systems developed by Apple and Google for the latest mid-size car 2015 Sonata, regardless of whether the phone used by the owner is Apple iOS or Google Android can be associated with the car.
Guotai Junan related analysts said that supporting dual OS vehicle systems at the same time will be the general trend of the OEM. "Apple and Google need to work together to support customers to optimize hardware and software and complete the integration of the two systems."
Other well-known large companies in the IT industry have placed their cars in an important position in their fields of vision. They have stepped into the field of automotive intelligence, participated in the construction of car networks, and cooperated with vehicle manufacturers. For example, Ford and Microsoft jointly developed the SYNC function to create a MyFord Touch touch screen system that enhances the automation intelligence of Ford vehicles. Companies such as Chrysler have also adopted QNX software from BlackBerry.
Some IT experts said that at present, Apple and Google are still far ahead of the car intelligentization. In the visible period, Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are still playing a double-headed game. But with the increased participation of IT companies such as Microsoft and Blackberry in the automotive industry, competition will become increasingly fierce. Moreover, the relationship between IT giants and automakers will continue to change in cooperation and competition. In the wave of automotive intelligence and car networking development, who is ups and downs, still has time to verify.
Industry chain companies or beneficiary Guotai Junan related analysts said that whether using Carplay or Android Auto, the main functions are realized by relying on mobile phones, car systems as input and output human-machine interface, the two sides will work together to challenge the front and rear of automotive electronics market.
"The entry of Apple and Google will quickly sizzle the market such as mobile internet navigation. Before the actual product launch, manufacturers with ready-made Internet products will use this boom to increase sales of products, as long as follow-up products follow up in time. Will enjoy the dividend of the industry revolution."
Taking Shenglu Communication as an example, the company issued a notice at the beginning of the year that it plans to acquire 100% of the shares of Hezheng Electronics. Gongzheng Electronics is the supplier of CarPC and DA Zhilian system products. Its Zhilian system products can not only seamlessly communicate with smartphones. Connected, and has realized the mobile Internet function of the car, and passed the NADS certification of Dongfeng Nissan Tianyi and Xinxuanyi to enter the pre-pre-installation market, which has been adapted to more than 10 best-selling brands such as Dongfeng Nissan, Volkswagen, Toyota and Honda. More than 60 low-end models.
Industry researchers said that the car network is recognized as the main battlefield for future electronic innovation applications, and the car will become the next mobile Internet portal. An important scene in the current moving scene, that is, the vehicle scene, has not yet been fully explored. With the popularity of automobiles, users' time in cars is gradually increasing, and cars will become the next most important mobile Internet portal. The era of car networking is coming soon.
"This provides a huge imagination for domestic related electronics manufacturers," the source said. "But it should also be noted that the technical level of domestic listed companies is still far following. To become a leader, domestic companies still have long way to go."
On June 25th, San Francisco, USA, the head of Android Engineering at Google Inc. introduced the Android version of the Android operating system.