Google’s Android Automotive is moving from the dashboard to the ‘brain’ of the car | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Google’s Android Automotive is moving from the dashboard to the ‘brain’ of the carComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...TechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTransportationCloseTransportationPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TransportationGoogle’s Android Automotive is moving from the dashboard to the ‘brain’ of the carAndroid Automotive OS for Software-Defined Vehicles is an ‘open architecture’ for non-safety parts of the car’s internal computer.Android Automotive OS for Software-Defined Vehicles is an ‘open architecture’ for non-safety parts of the car’s internal computer.by Andrew J. HawkinsCloseAndrew J. HawkinsTransportation editorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew J. HawkinsMar 24, 2026, 4:00 PM UTCLinkShareGiftAndroid Automotive in a Volvo EX90 Image: VolvoAndrew J. HawkinsCloseAndrew J. HawkinsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew J. Hawkins is transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State.Google announced a new version of its Android Automotive open-source operating system for software-defined vehicles. Whereas previously Android Automotive operated exclusively in the car’s infotainment system, Google is now expanding its “open infrastructure” to the non-safety parts of the car’s internal computer system.As cars have swiftly become “computers on wheels,” there is still a lot of fragmentation in the industry, with many car manufacturers using different, mismatched software modules from dozens of different suppliers. Google wants to solve this fragmentation problem by — what else? — becoming the de facto software provider for the industry.But the company says this isn’t just an effort to corner the market; it also wants to provide a better experience for drivers. With its new Android Automotive OS for Software-Defined Vehicles, the in-car experience will feel “much more cohesive and the latest features will reach your driveway faster,” Matt Crowley, Android Automotive’s group product manager, writes in a blog post.“From a truly integrated voice experience to proactive maintenance reminders, your car will become a true extension of your digital life,” Crowley adds.“From a truly integrated voice experience to proactive maintenance reminders, your car will become a true extension of your digital life.”— Matt Crowley, Android Automotive’s group product managerWith its new software, Google is promising faster over-the-air software updates, better voice assistants, and more proactive vehicle maintenance alerts. Non-driving functions like climate control, lighting, and seating adjustment would fall under Android’s control. And the system would move beyond basic infotainment to create a unified ecosystem for features like remote cabin conditioning, digital key management, and personalized driver profiles.For automakers, the new system promises less expensive software development costs and an opportunity to focus on what matters most to them: branding. By providing the “foundational code and a common language for their software,” Google says automakers will be free to design cool experiences for their customers.Google says its already working with companies like Renault Group and Qualcomm to bring its new software-defined vehicle version of Android Automotive to more cars. A variety of automakers already use regular Android Automotive, like Volvo, Polestar, General Motors, Nissan, and Honda.Google is competing with Apple to persuade more automakers to hand over control of their software development efforts. Most automakers allow their customers to use phone-mirroring services like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But now both companies are going a step further. Last year, Apple finally rolled out its CarPlay Ultra feature that takes over more core functions like HVAC and radio controls. The feature is available on select Aston Martin vehicles, and is soon coming to Porsche.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Andrew J. HawkinsCloseAndrew J. HawkinsTransportation editorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew J. 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Google is strategically shifting the focus of its Android Automotive operating system from its traditional role within a vehicle’s infotainment system to a more central “brain” function for the vehicle. This represents a significant evolution driven by increasing computerization within automobiles and the resultant fragmentation of software solutions across various automotive manufacturers. The core of this shift involves expanding Android Automotive’s influence beyond the dashboard’s primary functions into the vehicle’s broader internal computer system. As vehicles increasingly resemble sophisticated computers, the need for a standardized and cohesive software architecture has become paramount, a challenge Google intends to address.

The initiative, spearheaded by Google’s Android Automotive OS for Software-Defined Vehicles, is designed as an ‘open architecture’ for non-safety related components of a car’s internal computer. This open approach aims to mitigate the current industry problem of dozens of disparate software modules supplied by numerous vendors, leading to inconsistent experiences and operational difficulties. Google’s goal is to establish itself as the dominant software provider for the automotive industry, not merely through infotainment, but by unifying the vehicle’s various systems.

According to Matt Crowley, Android Automotive’s group product manager, the resultant vehicle experience will be “much more cohesive” and feature updates will arrive “at your driveway faster.” This vision encompasses a broader range of functionalities, extending beyond standard infotainment. Specifically, Google is targeting integration with vehicle climate control, lighting systems, and seating adjustments, effectively placing these functions under Android’s control. Furthermore, the OS will evolve to facilitate features such as remote cabin conditioning, digital key management, and personalized driver profiles.

A key component of this strategy is the promise of faster over-the-air (OTA) software updates, a critical element for maintaining vehicle performance and security. This enhanced update capability distinguishes Google’s approach among its competitors. The expansion also offers significant cost benefits for automakers, reducing software development expenses. Automakers will be able to concentrate their efforts on defining the overall customer experience through branding and design, letting Google provide the foundational software and a common language for their systems.

Currently, Google is collaborating with companies such as Renault Group and Qualcomm to integrate this new software-defined vehicle version of Android Automotive into new car models. Existing Android Automotive users, including Volvo, Polestar, General Motors, Nissan, and Honda, will also benefit from these advancements. The move also reflects Google’s broader competition with Apple, particularly concerning CarPlay Ultra, which is already implemented on select Aston Martin vehicles and soon to be available for Porsche. By providing a unified, adaptable software platform, Google is positioning itself to become a central player in the rapidly evolving landscape of automotive technology.