Google launches Open Automotive Alliance for Android-equipped cars

Google yesterday announced it had teamed up with several auto manufacturers to bring Android to cars by the end of this year.

The internet search giant seeks to achieve this through the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), which the company launched yesterday, in collaboration with Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai and processor chip company Nvidia.

The OAA intends to step up the pace of auto innovation with an approach marked by openness, customisation and scale, the companies said in a news release.

"Putting Android in the car will bring drivers apps and services they already know and love, while enabling automakers to more easily deliver cutting-edge technology to their customers. And it will create new opportunities for developers to extend the variety and depth of the Android app ecosystem," Patrick Brady, director of Android engineering said in a blog post.

The alliance would also develop new Android platform features to enable the car to become a connected Android device, the companies said, adding that more details would follow soon.

With the integration of Android into their cars, drivers should be able to use mobile services without distraction of attention from the road, they said. And the fact that Android was an existing and familiar platform for developers,  would allow for the delivery of a powerful experience for users, the alliance said.

The first Android-connected cars are planned to hit the road the end of 2014.

According to Brady's post, Google would work with the car makers ''to make driving safer, easier, and more enjoyable.''

The group would work to develop new Android features that would allow developers to add car modes to their apps. The group was also in contact with government agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to ensure safety during the in-car experience.

However, Android would not be the only mobile OS on the road this year, as Apple had announced in June an initiative called iOS in the Car, which would see car manufacturers include iOS features like calling, music playback, messaging, and navigation in their vehicle dashboards.

Chevy, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Kia, Infiniti, Hyundai, Volvo, Jaguar, Porsche, and Acura are among the prominent car manufacturers to have signed up for iOS integration.

Meanwhile, Ford has introduced an in-car computing system called ''Sync'' based on Microsoft technology.