SILICON Valley/Ingolstadt – Audi is bringing the Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay software platforms into cars. Major functions will be integrated into the Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) in the future.

“Our customers want to be ‘always on’ and use the services they know from their smartphones in cars as well,” says Prof Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member for Technical Development at AUDI AG. “In this regard, we are working closely with leading companies like Google and Apple. In the future, customers will be able to use the functions available to them on their smartphones via the operating systems in their cars as well.

User friendliness and low distraction are important parameters for integrating these functions. Data security also plays a vital role. We are separating the vehicle-related functions from the infotainment features, thereby securing the data against unauthorised access. The customer has to give express consent for the use of data generated in the vehicle,” he continues.

Audi is the only premium automotive manufacturer to be a founding member of the Google Open Automotive Alliance (OAA). This cooperation was launched in early 2014 with the goal of integrating the Android platform and its apps into cars under the “Android Auto” banner.

Initial results are already available in the form of services such as navigation via Google Maps and the streaming service Google Play Music. Integration of CarPlay is also taking place through intensive dialog between the Audi development lab in Silicon Valley and Apple.

This close cooperation enables optimum integration of the two most widespread smartphone platforms into the Audi MMI. Customers will be able to choose at any time which of these platforms they wish to use in their cars.