World’s largest auto alliance and Google in Android deal

Intelligent infotainment and customer applications such as voice activated vehicle function management will be provided within three years under a Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and Google partnership.

Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), the system aims to provide connectivity within and outside a vehicle.

People can use “turn-by-turn” navigation with Google Maps, store automotive apps on Google Play Store, control media, find information, answer calls and texts and more across multiple models and brands starting in 2021.

The Android operating system will be embedded in vehicles sold by the alliance whose member companies last year sold 10.6 million vehicles in 200 markets.

It will integrate Google applications and services into infotainment and cloud-based systems to enhance customer experience, with each brand having flexibility to create a unique customer interface and specific features on top of the common Android platform.

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is targeting increased sales of more than 14 million units a year by the end of 2022.

It also plans to launch 12 new zero-emission electric vehicles, new autonomous-driving technologies and the ongoing rollout of the Alliance Intelligent Cloud to provide next-generation infotainment systems with secure connectivity.

The platform would integrate data management, infotainment systems and facilitate over-the-air upgrades and remote diagnostics in Alliance member-company vehicles.

The system will also be compatible with devices running other operating systems, such as Apple iOS.

“Our partnership with Google will offer owners of our vehicles rich user experiences that are currently available only outside the vehicle or, to a limited extent, by connecting an Android device to supported vehicles,” Alliance business development senior vice-president Hadi Zablit says.

”We are building powerful connected and seamless on-board / off-board experiences into our vehicles in addition to the features of Google applications and services that many users are accustomed to, including Google Maps, the Google Assistant and the Google Play Store.”