If you’re thinking about buying a car from General Motors (GM) in the near future, specifically
one of its new electric vehicles (EVs), you may find yourself using a completely new infotainment system
The automotive firm recently announced that it would be phasing out the two most widely-used vehicular infotainment systems – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – in favor of built-in proprietary infotainment systems it is set to develop with Google. The two aforementioned systems allow users to view or listen to content from their smartphones through their car’s dashboard displays.
According to a company spokesperson, GM’s decision to do away with these mirroring apps in upcoming EV models, particularly the Chevrolet Blazer slated for 2024, could help it glean additional data regarding the way EV owners drive and charge their vehicles.
GM’s design team will work closely with several Google experts on the design of the EV-specific onboard navigation and infotainment systems.
This is actually a key milestone in the two companies’ working relationship, which was initially established in 2019 to develop the digital framework for proprietary infotainment systems closely integrated with other critical systems like the GM Super Cruise driving assistant. Likewise, GM is also fast-tracking a way by which its EVs could double as platforms for a number of online subscription services.
The End of an Era?
But not everyone is happy with GM’s decision to scrap third-party mirroring apps from its EV line. Apple, in particular, sees the phaseout as a setback in terms of claiming more digital real estate on car dashboards throughout North America.
Indeed, it wasn’t too long ago since Chevrolet touted the fact that it offered more models featuring either CarPlay or Android Auto than any other car brand.
But even as the car manufacturer is set to phase out the production of new light combustion vehicles within the next decade, its own people see how it stands to benefit by focusing its people and finances on a single integrated approach for connecting in-vehicle infotainment and navigation features with a number of critical aspects like assisted driving.
According to Mike Hichme, executive director of GM’s digital cockpit experience, the company has a number of upcoming driver assistance features that should be tightly coupled with navigation systems. As such, GM engineers don’t want to design these to be dependent on a car owner accessing such features through their mobile phone.
