New Alliance to Bring Android Platform to the Car

January 8, 2014

Patrick Ponticel

As part of the Consumer Electronics Show, Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang introduced the company's Tegra K1 Visual Computing Module that is used to build applications related to digital dashboards, semi-autonomous driving, and other vehicle systems.

Audi, General Motors, Google, Honda, Hyundai, and Nvidia have joined together to form the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), a global organization of technology and auto industry leaders committed to bringing Google's Android platform to cars starting in 2014. The OAA is dedicated to a common platform and open development model that, the companies say, will drive innovation and make technology in the car safer and more intuitive. Timing from each automaker will vary, but the first cars with Android integration are expected by the end of the year. “We see huge opportunities for the Android platform paired with OnStar 4G LTE connectivity in future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles,” said Mary Chan, President of General Motors’ Global Connected Consumer unit. Said Jen-Hsun Huang, President and CEO of Nvidia: "The car is the ultimate mobile computer. With onboard supercomputing chips, futuristic cars of our dreams will no longer be science fiction. The OAA will enable the car industry to bring these amazing cars to market faster." The Android ecosystem includes more than a billion devices, many of which are powered by Nvidia's mobile processors.