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Google Teams with Chrysler to Make Touchscreen Infotainment
The search engine giant Google has teamed with Fitat Chrysler to design a new infotainment using Google’s signature Android operating system technology. The two companies announced their partnership while speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Details of the project remain sparse, but it’s believed to use Chrysler’s UConnect infotainment system along with Google’s Android 7.0 Nougat. This would allow drivers to continue using the automaker’s user interface while still being able to download and run Android Apps.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Google and Chrysler have worked together. The two companies built 100 Pacifica minivans using Google’s self-driving technology previously. In any case, hearing about their recent partnership has been surprising to many individuals.
When speaking at Google’s annual I/O conference earlier this year, the Mountain View company announced its vision to implement the Android operating system into every user-facing car system, allowing it to control everything from the radio and air, to the GPS, speedometer and more. The system itself is open-source, meaning anyone can freely access it. However, it’s also available for customization based on the automaker’s preference, which includes support for Android Auto and CarPlay.
The new infotainment system will also support touch-based commands, presumably using capacitive touch technology. This means users would have to operate the system with a bare finger, as gloves would restrict their function.
“With Android, we are able to maintain our unique and intuitive Uconnect user interface, all while integrating our easy-to-use systems with Android’s features and ecosystem of applications,” explained Chris Barman, FCA’s head of electrical engineering, when announcing the company’s partnership with Google. Infotainment systems are generally terrible, so this could be a positive step,” he added.
There are several benefits associated with the use of car infotainment systems, one of which is the ability to control all of your car’s functions from a single and convenient interface. Unfortunately, though, most of the existing infotainment systems on the market are complex and difficult to use. This has led to stagnant adoption within the car industry. Perhaps the new partnership between Google and Chrysler will change this, allowing drivers to add a high-tech, easy to navigate infotainment system with Android support directly into their car, truck or vehicle. There’s still no word on when the Android-powered infotainment system will be released, but you can check back with our blog for all of the latest details.