The Open Automotive Alliance welcomes new members, as the connected car begins to take shape
The Open Automotive Alliance (OAA) – a coalition of tech companies and auto industry leaders committed to bringing the Android platform to cars – welcomed a number of new members into the alliance: Alpine, Bentley, Clarion , CloudCar, Delphi, Fiat Chrysler, Freescale, Fujitsu Ten, Harman, Infiniti , JVCKenwood, LG,Maserati, Mazda, Mitsubishi , Nissan, Panasonic, Parrot, Pioneer, Renault, Renesas, Seat, Škoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Symphony Teleca, Volkswagen and Volvo.
These new members, who join OAA founding members Audi, GM, Google, Honda, Hyundai and NVIDIA, hail from around the world and reflect the global reach of Android, which has seen more than one billion phones and tablets activated to date. The goal of the Alliance is to bring all of the benefits users have grown to love about Android into their cars, creating a safer and more convenient way to check the traffic, map out a route, or pick a playlist-but without needing to use your hands. More simply, their goal is to create a connected car.
“Becoming a member of the Open Automotive Alliance offers us a great opportunity to explore how we will bring a familiar set of Android features into our Chrysler Group, Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Uconnect systems globally. This membership will complement our mission to enable drivers to stay conveniently connected while keeping their hands on the wheel and their focus on driving.” -Alan Amici, Head of Uconnect Systems and Services, Chrysler Group LLC.
Yesterday at the Google I/O developer conference in San Francisco (Calif.), Google and OAA automakers showcased the first integrations of Android Auto. Android Auto brings many of the apps drivers know and love, like Google Maps and Spotify, to an interface that’s built for driving. After connecting an Android phone to a compatible car, drivers will be able to use Android apps and services specially designed for use in a car and accessible through in-dash display and controls.
The expansion of the OAA shows its commitment to openness, customization and scale, which have contributed to Android’s success and are designed to help drive auto innovation.
Turin 26 June 2014