Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Renault are joining forces with Google to develop a new generation of operating system for the automakers' in-car infotainment systems.
The tech partnership will put the Android operating system into the vehicles of the three brands. That means improved features like Google Maps for navigation, but also more connectivity for the vehicles. Think beyond Android Auto to a much wider and phone-free system.
It will also mean Google's virtual assistant can be integrated into the vehicles. That allows for more hands-free interaction with the car. The possibility of saying "Hey Google, I'm cold" and having the car turn up the heat – much like the new Mercedes-Benz MBUX system's "Hey Mercedes" feature.
"With Google Maps and the Google Assistant embedded in Alliance infotainment systems, our customers will have some of the most advanced AI-based applications at their fingertips," said Kal Mos, the global VP of connected vehicles for the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi alliance.
The system will add the Google Play app store and the potential to download from that massive ecosystem of auto-compatible apps.
While all three automakers will use the same underlying system, each one will be able to develop a unique interface and add brand-specific features.
The plan will also involve a new cloud-based service, the Alliance Intelligent Cloud. That service will use Google technologies to allow over the air upgrades, remote diagnostics, and better data management.
That service will also go along with new autonomous driving tech the companies plan to roll out and the launch of 12 new electric vehicles, though the automakers didn't give a timeline for those vehicles or features.
The new infotainment system is set to arrive in vehicles in 2021. And yes, they will still work with Apple CarPlay devices.
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