In Android Auto's first iterations, the device was required to be connected via USB to the car. Once the user's Android device is connected to the vehicle, the head unit will serve as an external display for the Android device, presenting supported software in a car-specific user interface provided by the Android Auto app. Hands-free operation through voice commands is available and recommended to reduce driver distraction.Īndroid Auto is part of the Open Automotive Alliance, a joint effort of 28 automobile manufacturers, with Nvidia as tech supplier, available in 36 countries.Īndroid Auto is software that can be utilized from an Android mobile device, acting as a master to a vehicle's dashboard head unit. The system supports both touchscreen and button-controlled head units. Supported apps include GPS mapping and navigation, music playback, SMS, telephone, and Web search. Once an Android device is paired with the car's head unit, the system can mirror some apps on the vehicle's display.

Android Auto with the 'CoolWalk' interface, running under Android 13Īndroid Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features of an Android device, such as a smartphone, on a car's dashboard information and entertainment head unit.

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