Buzz
Once deemed 'disconnected,' cars are swiftly evolving. The automotive industry is undergoing a revolutionary transformation with tech giants like Apple, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft taking the lead. Collaborating with car manufacturers, they are seamlessly integrating modern technology, particularly related to the Internet and artificial intelligence, and they are excelling at it.Nearly every car manufacturer has encountered challenges in enhancing user experience through control systems or in-car entertainment. Interacting with a car isn't as smooth as interacting with a phone or computer. In the early 2000s, BMW introduced the iDrive control system, immediately facing issues with a user-unfriendly interface and interaction difficulties. This problem wasn't unique to BMW; other manufacturers faced similar issues. The software you interact with in a car doesn't evolve as quickly as phone software, even though phones are used daily and continuously improved.
Then came Google and Apple into this market. Both offered solutions for navigation, messaging, and music in cars. Essentially, you connect your phone to the car's entertainment system, and a specialized interface appears with apps for use while driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow you to navigate with Apple/Google Maps, play music from Spotify, NhacCuaTui, ZingMP3, listen to podcasts, read messages, and make calls to contacts in your phonebook.Both present a user-friendly interface on your car's screen for seamless interaction. Clearly, what Apple and Google design on the interface for user interaction is better and much more accessible than what car manufacturers create on their own. Nowadays, almost every car brand supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with some models supporting both, including the wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
This is what users need – you simply step into the car, and everything you need is right in front of you. Apple and Google have addressed the challenges for car manufacturers; they don't have to invest millions just to create an in-car entertainment system. Instead, they will focus on their expertise and strength – making the car itself.Not everyone desires identical entertainment systems, according to CNBC. Studies indicate users would switch to a different car brand for a better connectivity experience, but having only Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is not sufficient. Luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes have taken a step ahead; they develop their own entertainment systems while fully supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For example, Mercedes cars feature a virtual assistant allowing you to control the air conditioning. Your phone may handle navigation and music, but the car's domain remains untouched, providing a platform for each car manufacturer's unique technology.As for BMW, they collaborate with Microsoft to develop a virtual assistant and integrate AI features. Image recognition, voice recognition, personalized suggestions based on user habits – these are areas where Microsoft excels, making their partnership logical. Regarding building an integrated in-car solution, Microsoft believes it should be left to car manufacturers as they understand what their customers need and want. Microsoft has also joined forces with Volkswagen and Daimler AG for endeavors related to the cloud, innovation, and big data.
In the case of Daimler (the parent company owning several brands, including Mercedes-Benz), Microsoft reveals that Daimler collects data on how their vehicles operate, enabling them to predict potential issues and expedite the repair process for car owners. Additionally, they use data from millions of rolling vehicles to enhance the production of better cars. Operating these cloud and big data platforms, Microsoft is a fitting name.For Google, they go a step further with a potent solution known as Android Automotive. Android Automotive serves as a constant in-car entertainment system, fundamentally running on Android without needing phone connectivity like Android Auto. Google has a dedicated lab for testing driver distraction, equipped with eye-tracking glasses and cameras to monitor gestures and facial expressions, understanding where the test subject is looking, how long they gaze, and more.Android Automotive strives to anticipate your needs, displaying information proactively or using voice commands to minimize the need to look directly at the screen. No one wants to navigate through a multitude of menus while driving, right? Android Automotive can leverage apps similar to those on your phone, and programmers can quickly tailor the interface for vehicles if needed.
Amazon is also collaborating with various car manufacturers to integrate their virtual assistant, Alexa, such as Ford, BMW, and Toyota. In the luxury segment, Genesis, Hyundai's premium brand, deeply integrates Alexa, allowing you to start the engine with a voice command before approaching the car. Amazon even offers direct delivery to users' cars instead of homes, partnering with Ford, GM, VW, and others. For older vehicles, Amazon sells the Echo Auto, a device bringing Amazon's connectivity services to existing cars.Gradually, a car is no longer just a car. It evolves into a mobile office, a movable living room. The collaboration between car manufacturers and major tech companies will expedite this process, and ultimately, we, the drivers, will be the ones to benefit.Source: CNBC
