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, including: Alpine, Bentley, Clarion, CloudCar, Delphi, FIAT Chrysler, Ford, 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.
On June 25th, at the Google I/O developer conference, 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. We welcome more partners to join us on this journey, and drivers can expect to see the first cars with Android Auto roll off the assembly line in 2014.
Renault S.A.
“Joining the OAA with our partner Nissan is an important step for us. Cars are becoming the next connected environment of our customers and a good interaction with their smartphones is critical. The link between the car and the smartphone should not only allow continuity in services and features, but also ensure that safe driving conditions are kept. We believe that joining OAA will allow us to meet these objectives.” -Thierry Viadieu, Program Director for Multimedia and Vehicle Connected Services, RENAULT
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd
“As a constant innovation leader in automotive technology, Nissan Motor Corporation gladly supports the OAA’s efforts to make popular consumer technology accessible to all drivers. We look forward to working with the OAA to integrate Android Auto into Nissan and Infiniti vehicles around the world in the near future,” -Andy Palmer, Chief Planning Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
To read other companies' quotes on the news, please click here.
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