Continental To Put Google Android In The Car

As part of the demonstration, the company will debut the world’s first automotive-grade head unit capable of downloading Android applications. Continental also announced that it plans to release an AutoLinQ Software Development Kit (SDK) to the Android Development Community in the first quarter of 2010 and will unveil an application store in the second half of the year.

Continental, one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, is designing AutoLinQ as a flexible automotive-grade hardware and software platform. The scalable architecture is based on various views and provides vehicle owners with information that is relevant to their location. For example, through AutoLinQ’s mobile view, vehicle owners can ask questions or send commands from their mobile phone to their vehicle, including options like checking the status or location of a vehicle. While at home, vehicle owners can access real-time vehicle status or remote diagnostic information from an account on their laptop. Or, while on the road, vehicle occupants will be able to access real-time location-based information and content that is relevant to the driving situation.

As the next step in its AutoLinQ development, Continental expects to release a SDK that will extend the open Android API and provide developers with the tools they need to create automotive-specific Android applications. The AutoLinQ SDK, which Continental expects will be available by the end of the first quarter of 2010, consists of API documentation, a Vehicle Simulator, a Vehicle Emulator, and the HMI design guide.

Continental has been collaborating with NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data, to bring automotive grade content and NAVTEQ-based applications to AutoLinQ. To this end, the NAVTEQ Network for Developers™ provides a variety of valuable resources to developers for application development. In working with NAVTEQ, Continental is enabling access to rich, high quality data and services as well as access to an existing ecosystem for the development of relevant applications for AutoLinQ.

Continental plans to work with Android developers and automakers to certify a core set of applications to help ensure that the information brought into the car is integrated in a thoughtful, secure and safety-minded way. One of the keys to designing a successful application will be an easy-to-use human machine interface that enables drivers and passengers to remain focused on the road while accessing information at highway driving speeds. The Company plans to begin demonstrating applications, via a new application store, to its automotive customers in the second half of 2010.

Credits: wilswong