Shiv Chauhan’s Post

🤩 Here is an update on what’s happening related to big tech and software in automotive 🚗. Please add your comments below👇 - As always, it’s my personal view. 👉 The strategic directions of OEMs related to the new version of Apple CarPlay point towards different directions. 🔘 Mercedes-Benz AG announced that it would not allow ❌ companies like Apple to take over the infotainment clusters. Mercedes wants to convince customers with their own software, supported by Google, Tencent and others: https://lnkd.in/eYWdg2eu 🔘 Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath highlighted that he would welcome the implementation of Apple CarPlay 2.0 across the portfolio despite the strong in-car software system. But customer demand is key, if there is a demand for CarPlay, OEMs should enable it. https://lnkd.in/e-jYf3Zu 🔘 Porsche AG and Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd are already on board, Apple CarPlay 2.0 will be rolled out soon: 👉 Chips in cars is still the smaller automotive business case at NVIDIA. Selling data center, cloud computing to automakers 🚘 is the more relevant business 💰. Tesla is a good example, 35.000 H100 GPUs are used to train their AI 🤖 cluster: https://lnkd.in/eShDPpFa 👉 App stores in cars are a hot 🔥 topic in the industry, we see different approaches: 🔘 HARMAN International found a second OEM customer after Volkswagen that is including the ignite store, an Android app store that allows the usage of know smartphone 📲 apps in the vehicles. Tata Group 🇮🇳 is implementing the solution in selected EV ⚡️ brands. Not sure of limited volume of models at two OEMs is enough to create a profitable business case for Harman 🤷🏼♂️. https://lnkd.in/eqprPRY5 🔘 A competitive product to the Ignite Store is the faurecia Aptoide App Store, used by Mercedes or BMW Group. Aptoide is no leaving the JV by selling the shares to FORVIA, so that Aptoide could put more focus on mobile devices 📲. The transaction could be a signal that the business opportunity 💸 to launch Android App Stores in vehicles is not as big as expected: https://lnkd.in/eiifXsSg 🔘 Android Automotive OS and GAS is also used by OEMs like Polestar, Ford Motor Company or General Motors. The scope of services and apps is continuously expanded. Streaming of video 🍿 is next, as well as popular games like Angry Birds 🐦. Uber drivers should soon get access to the Driver App on the center screen: https://lnkd.in/eDWXdpM2 👉 EV startup Rivian 🚙 confirmed that the own front end is based on Android Automotive OS. Enablers like Unreal Engine and MadCap Software, Inc. are used to customize the front end: https://lnkd.in/ecfjA9R3 What’s missing 🤷🏼♂️? Please add your favorite 🤩 stories ‼️

It's been 7 years since Google launched #AndroidAutomotive, but you wouldn't know it... It's still a mess -- like #Android phones in 2012 :) But there's hope, thanks to Rivian, Polestar, and Volvo Cars, doing good work! Read my story on TechRadar.

This is an interesting article that dives into the challenges and potential of Android Automotive in EVs, especially as it competes with phone projection systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Typically, in most modern cars, you either rely on phone projection or the car’s native infotainment software. However, EVs require more precise data for route planning—like battery capacity, state of charge, and energy consumption—data that mobile apps don’t typically access. That’s why native infotainment systems are so important for EVs, as they’re better positioned to handle the unique needs of electric vehicle owners. While Tesla and Rivian are setting the benchmark with seamless, integrated systems that enhance route planning and user experience, other manufacturers are struggling to keep up, which is where Google’s Android Automotive OS (AAOS) steps in. Google launched AAOS to provide a unified platform for automotive infotainment, available in two versions: one without Google services and one with Google built-in, including Google Automotive Services (GAS). The latter promises a familiar, Google-rich experience with apps and services we know from mobile devices. However, implementation across brands is inconsistent, with some automakers succeeding (Polestar, Volvo) and others encountering significant issues (General Motors, Honda). It’s clear that Android Automotive with Google built-in has massive potential, but it’s also a work in progress. The article makes a strong case for why native infotainment solutions, rather than phone projection systems, will ultimately become the standard for EVs, provided that manufacturers and Google can address the current shortcomings. #EV #AndroidAutomotive #ElectricVehicles https://lnkd.in/gm8ENbNS

Apple ditched the Apple Car to concentrate on Apple Vision Pro! After a decade-long endeavor, Apple Inc. has officially abandoned its pursuit of building an electric self-driving car. Instead of focusing on hardware, the company is redirecting its efforts towards software-related innovations, including generative AI and mixed-reality headsets, like the world-famous Apple Vision Pro. The decision to shelve the Project Titan, an electric car initiative, comes as the automotive industry undergoes a fundamental shift. Vehicles are evolving from mechanically intricate machines to software-driven entities, with software now playing a pivotal role in their operation. This shift has positioned software at the heart of the vehicle, managing crucial functions such as battery management and electric systems. Apple's strategic move aligns with the market trend, where the integration of smartphone platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has become a top priority for car manufacturers. In fact, almost all new cars in the US support these integration platforms, emphasizing the growing significance of software in the automotive landscape. Apple's CarPlay, introduced in 2014, aims to seamlessly connect iPhones to a car's infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface for maps, driving information, and smartphone app integration. Moreover, Apple's control over the driver's data through CarPlay enhances user loyalty and provides the company with valuable insights. Looking ahead, the future iteration of CarPlay promises greater integration and control over various vehicle functions, potentially extending to telematics and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to enhance performance and safety. The rising demand for connectivity and in-car digital offerings, particularly among electric vehicle (EV) buyers, underscores the increasing importance of software in shaping the future mobility experience. As the industry embraces this evolution, legacy automakers are also recognizing the pivotal role of software. Companies like Volkswagen AG and Honda Motor are intensifying their software talent acquisition to address the growing importance of software engineering in the automotive sector. In conclusion, Apple's decision to shift from car production to software innovation reflects the changing dynamics of the automotive industry. With software taking center stage in vehicle development, the future of mobility is set to be shaped by seamless digital integrations and connectivity solutions, underscoring the importance of software proficiency in the automotive ecosystem. What do you think about this change in strategy by Apple? Let us know in the comments section! #applecar #applevisionpro #applecarplay #ecell #iitbombay

The Long and Painful Misstep of GM: Disconnecting from the Future of In-Car Connectivity In 2023, GM made the bold yet misguided decision to cut support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of its own infotainment system developed with Google. This move, driven by a desire to control user experience and tap into new revenue streams, highlighted GM’s fundamental misunderstanding of the powerful network effects that drive modern consumer technology. As other automakers recognized the importance of seamless smartphone integration, GM’s decision not only alienated tech-savvy drivers but also risked making their vehicles less appealing in an increasingly connected world. This decision underscores the importance of aligning business strategies with consumer expectations in the era of digital connectivity. #AutoIndustry #TechIntegration #CarPlay #GM #Innovation #CustomerExperience #DigitalTransformation https://lnkd.in/eWdNPQCE

The battle for the customer experience continues within Auto as "Thirty percent of global electric vehicle buyers and 35 percent of global internal combustion engine car buyers said a lack of support for smartphone integration is a deal-breaker. That figure may have big implications for General Motors, which said in December it is phasing out such integrations in future EVs. In the U.S., consumers are similarly rigid — 25 percent of EV buyers and 38 percent of gasoline-powered vehicle buyers would not purchase cars without smartphone mirroring." Where will this trend go in upcoming years as OEM's become more advanced with their own platforms?

Name the most disappointing #infotainment system currently in the market?  We have taken on many projects due to failures, oversights, and underwhelming performances of infotainment systems, so I know very well that many systems are not satisfying end user expectations.  Expectations and needs can vary from user to user, but there are some key elements that need to addresses in every system, but often have been neglected in favor of shortcuts and profit margins: *Seamless Smartphone Integration* Connecting your personal device with ease and creating an extension of your personal experience with your smartphone is essential. A barrier to this is an instant turn-off to a user. *Intuitive User Interface* It doesn't matter if you are commercial or a regular driver an interface that is instantly understood and creates minimal distractions is critical both to experience and safety.  *Advanced Voice Control* What once seemed highly futuristic, voice control is now part of our everyday life. With todays need of making calls, sending messages, controlling media playback, and adjusting vehicle settings on the go, a voice control system that works seamlessly is a must. *Integrated Navigation* Our ability to read maps seems to have been lost, therefore providing a built-in GPS navigation for real-time traffic updates and turn-by-turn directions, is without doubt a none negotiable feature for users.  What are the most important elements of a infotainment system and what are the worst systems you have ever experienced? #ElectricVehicles #AutonomousDriving #Automotive #SoftwareDefinedVehicles

😤 I should know better by now, but it's 2024, and I'm still surprised by how clueless many traditional industries are about #digital. Not understanding what a #platform is and how you can position yourself to fight it (or not) should be crystal clear for most executives by now. But everyone is still acting like we're in the early 2000s, and here's General Motors trying to circumvent Apple #CarPlay with software of its own: "A traditional car company attempting to take on Silicon Valley in tech only to subject its customers to subpar functionality and embarrassing bugs is almost too on the nose. The poor quality of MyFord Touch, Toyota Entune and other infotainment products seeded the desire for a real tech company to provide a modern replacement such as CarPlay in the first place. But as CarPlay grows wildly popular and seeks more data and instrument controls, Apple threatens to become the “iOS of the vehicle,” says Alan Wexler, GM’s senior vice president for strategy and innovation, referring to Apple’s ubiquitous mobile operating system. “It’s a physical vehicle, but it’s an iPhone you’re driving.”" This is NOT about the UX or the online services (which are non-negotiable starting points in any case) but rather a full-on integration of as many things as possible AROUND the car itself. Does it mean that if you're GM and you don't have a near-perfect solution for music, movies, games, payment, fitness, geolocation, shopping, etc., you cannot deliver an "infotainment" system in this day and age? YES, exactly. Is it a lost cause, then? Probably. Maybe start focusing on mobility again and level up your game on charging networks instead of letting Tesla rent its platform to you (and closing access when you become too competitive)? The traditional automotive sector in the West is still playing Tic Tac Toe when everyone else is playing 3D chess. It's really painful to watch. https://lnkd.in/edYgBTzi

Apple doubles down efforts on its 'CarPlay' solution to break into the automotive industry, after Project Titan was cancelled last month. Apple's CarPlay connects an iPhone to a car's infotainment system and represent's the companies last hope of breaking into the market. CarPlay is set to launch this year, however, only Porsche AG & Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd have expressed formal support. Could this be the catalyst for Apple's domination in the auto market or is it simply a failed dream? Interested in hearing more about the challenges of the automotive industry? Get for tickets for MOVE NOW: https://lnkd.in/dAgRZNyA MOVE: Mobility Re-imagined #apple #applecar #automotive #automotiveindustry https://lnkd.in/efYKCTRH

General Motors announced plans to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity in its new EVs and future products, citing safety concerns related to driver distraction caused by cell phone usage behind the wheel. GM's head of product for #infotainment, explained that stability issues with #CarPlay and #AndroidAuto lead to driver frustration and potentially dangerous distractions, prompting GM to develop its own infotainment system called #Ultifi. This system integrates Google apps like #Maps and the #GoogleAssistant directly into the vehicle, aiming to provide a seamless and safer user experience. GM's decision also aligns with its strategy to tap into data monetization opportunities and expand subscription-based services, potentially generating significant revenue in the future. While GM's move has sparked controversy, it's not unique, as other automakers like Tesla and Rivian have also opted out of offering CarPlay and Android Auto. Follow Amanda Newman to stay up to date with technology. https://lnkd.in/eHU5RrVZ