Normal Motors Plans to Part Out Apple CarPlay, Android Auto in Future EVs

Normal Motors plans to part out widely-used Apple CarPlay and Android Auto applied sciences that permit drivers to bypass a automobile’s infotainment programs, shifting as an alternative to built-in infotainment programs developed with Google for future electrical automobiles.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto programs permit customers to reflect their smartphone screens in a automobile’s dashboard show.

GM’s choice to cease providing these programs in future electrical automobiles, beginning with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, might assist the automaker seize extra information on how customers drive and cost EVs.

GM is designing the on-board navigation and infotainment programs for future EVs in partnership with Alphabet’s Google.

The choice to part out CarPlay smartphone projection expertise is a setback for Apple Inc within the competitors with Google to seize extra actual property on automobile dashboards in North America. GM’s Chevrolet model previously boasted of providing extra fashions with CarPlay or Android Auto than another model.

GM has been working with Google since 2019 to develop the software program foundations for infotainment programs that can be extra tightly built-in with different automobile programs resembling GM’s Tremendous Cruise driver assistant. The automaker is accelerating a method for its EVs to be platforms for digital subscription companies.

By 2035, GM’s aim is to part out manufacturing of latest combustion light-duty automobiles.

GM would profit from focusing engineers and funding on one method to extra tightly connecting in-vehicle infotainment and navigation with options resembling assisted driving, Edward Kummer, GM’s chief digital officer, and Mike Himche, government director of digital cockpit expertise, mentioned in an interview.

“We’ve got a variety of new driver help options coming which are extra tightly coupled with navigation,” Himche instructed Reuters. “We do not need to design these options in a means which are depending on individual having a cellphone.”

Patrons of GM EVs with the brand new programs will get entry to Google Maps and Google Assistant, a voice command system, at no further value for eight years, GM mentioned. GM mentioned the longer term infotainment programs will provide functions resembling Spotify’s music service, Audible and different companies that many drivers now entry by way of smartphones.

GM plans to proceed providing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mirroring programs in its combustion fashions. Homeowners of automobiles outfitted with the mirroring applied sciences will nonetheless have the ability to use the programs, GM mentioned.

Drivers additionally will nonetheless have the ability to hearken to music or make telephone calls on iPhones or Android smartphones utilizing Bluetooth wi-fi connectivity, GM mentioned.

© Thomson Reuters 2023