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Google has taken a major step toward turning Android into a complete operating system for cars that doesn't require the use of a phone. The company announced partnerships with Audi and Volvo today, ahead of this week's I/O developer's conference, that will see those carmakers build new branded infotainment systems using Android 7.0 Nougat.
The manufacturer-tweaked versions of Google's operating system will power the cars' main touchscreen displays, as well as the digital dashboards behind the steering wheel. They will add new services like Google Assistant to the apps and integrations already available on Android Auto. But Android will now also control basic functions like heating and cooling, seat position, or opening and closing the windows. (It won't go as far as controlling critical safety systems like brakes, though, according to Google.) Volvo says it plans to launch its Android on new models within two years, while Audi will show its version off in the new Audi Q8 Sport concept.
Audi is owned by the Volkswagen Group based in Germany. Since the 2010 sale by Ford Motor Company, Volvo Cars has been owned by Geely, a Chinese automotive manufacturer.
Source: The Verge
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 16 2017, @07:00AM (7 children)
Is Google bothering to turn Android into a real-time OS? Cars use QNX for a reason. But sure who gives a fuck. Not the billionaires at Google. We have an overabundance of worthless proles. Let's just rig cars to have lots of convenient accidents. Kill the proles!
(Score: 1) by anubi on Tuesday May 16 2017, @12:18PM (6 children)
From TFA:
It behooves me as to why anyone would make the braking or steering any more complex than absolutely necessary.
I can see power assist, but I sure feel a helluva lot more comfortable knowing there is a hard physical link to the control actuator for the brake and steering.
I can see everything else routing through something that may possibly hiccup. But not the brakes or steering.
I am building a controller for my van. I am routing everything through it. Except the brakes and steering.
If I can't get the van started, or if it runs poorly, that's just an annoyance. If I have the van in motion and I lose control of it, that is a disaster.
All it takes is one hint the brakes are failing, and I call the tow truck. As far as the steering goes, I want to see that big steel shaft running down to the rack-and-pinion gearing. I want the assurance that the steering assembly is a helluva lot stronger than I am.
I know the other side of it is that same steel shaft may well impale me. But that's a risk I am willing to take for the assurance I am not going to lose my ability to steer this thing.
I can think of few things more terrifying than being in a moving vehicle out of control.
I guess what I am trying to say is don't mess with the brakes or steering. Even if its QNX or uCOS-III.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by riT-k0MA on Tuesday May 16 2017, @02:17PM
I know the other side of it is that same steel shaft may well impale me. But that's a risk I am willing to take for the assurance I am not going to lose my ability to steer this thing.
A modern steering wheel shaft is hollow and is designed to collapse (Slide) into itself in order to prevent this.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 16 2017, @08:08PM (1 child)
well, i hope you open source your stuff so maybe one day we'll all be able to build open source vehicles. use the vbloclk chain to buy and sell parts made at home/neighborhood shops.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Wednesday May 17 2017, @05:45AM
I will definitely be open-sourcing the whole architecture. Its all built on Arduino. Linked to various other things, such as Nextion HMI and HobbyTronics Propeller based VGA driver boards. I have to design and construct all the other interface boards, which run all the sensor and control interfacing. Even its power isolator design is included, as vehicle power can be quite nasty, and I can't have it damaging or interfering with the processor.
My changes are form factors and interface standards.
To not open source this thing will condemn all of my efforts to oblivion. As it is designed to do things simply, reliably, cheaply, trustworthy.
It is NOT designed to make money by locking in the customer and going behind his back, or supporting artificial monopolies.
My main constrictor right now is time. Being I am running on retirement income, I can devote full time to this, but I cannot hire anyone else. I am leery of doing this for a businessman, as my experience is they rank the guy who has the leadership skill to tell the guy who can do it not to do it, more than they rank the guy who does it. I need to keep enough capital to hire the diesel mechanic who is helping me implement this thing.
Its my bucket list thing. Probably the last thing I will do.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Wednesday May 17 2017, @01:21AM (2 children)
I behooves me to point out that you appear to have a wrong definition of "behoove".
(Score: 1) by anubi on Wednesday May 17 2017, @05:47AM (1 child)
You are right... I had to go look up the meaning of "behoove".
I had it wrong for 60 years. Thanks!
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Wednesday May 17 2017, @08:39AM
You're welcome! I'm glad you took in the positive spirit it was offered :)