Alliance Vehicles to Run Google’s Android OS

The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance turns to Google for its next-generation intelligent infotainment systems.

The alliance has signed a global multiyear agreement to embed Google’s Android operating system in the vehicles it sells. This gives the cars a new array of services including turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store.

These will be combined with Alliance Intelligent Cloud-based remote software upgrades and vehicle diagnostics. The Alliance Intelligent Cloud will offer a platform to integrate data management and infotainment systems.

The combined systems will be available in multiple models and brands starting in 2021.

The vehicles will be able to answer calls and texts, control media, find information and manage vehicle functions with voice using the built-in Google Assistant.

While a range of Alliance vehicles will share the Android platform, each brand will have flexibility to create a unique customer interface and specific features.

The alliance says that by combining the latest technologies from the two partners, its vehicles will have one of the market’s most intelligent infotainment systems.

The partnership with Google symbolizes the alliance focus on next-generation technology under its year-old Alliance 2022 mid-term plan. The plan also involves the launch of 12 new zero-emission electric vehicles, new autonomous-driving technologies and the ongoing rollout of the Alliance Intelligent Cloud.

Hadi Zablit, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi senior vice president-business development, says the system will be compatible with devices running other operating systems, such as Apple iOS.

Kal Mos, global vice president-alliance connected vehicles, says the automakers are adding a new level of intelligence to their connected vehicles.

“The Google Assistant, which employs Google’s leading (artificial-intelligence) technology, can become the main way customers interact with their vehicles, hands-free,” he says. “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.”