Overview
Build your very own in-car app! How will you innovate the in-car experience?
Powered by Android
We’ve joined forces with Google, to give people the same experience in our cars
that they’re used to on their phones. With an operating system powered by Android
called Android Automotive, we’ve completely restructured in-car infotainment in our
new line of vehicles. This state-of-the-art technology will revolutionise the way our
customers interact with their Volvo. Learn more about
Android in-car infotainment
.
Build, test and release
Use Android Studio to develop media, navigation, and point-of-interest (POI) apps for Android Automotive.
1
Build
Build automotive apps using Android Studio. To learn how to develop apps for cars, read the official documentation
on Android for Cars.2
Test
Run your app in the Volvo Cars XC40 Recharge emulator to verify that it looks and behaves as you intended. Publish the app on the Google Play Store to test it in a real car.
3
Release
When you are ready, share your app publicly and give everyone who drives new Volvo cars the opportunity to experience your creations firsthand.
Code samples
View our code examples on GitHub to get started.
FAQ
What is Android Automotive?
Android Automotive is a base Android platform that runs pre-installed Android Applications as well as (optional) second- and third-party Android Applications.
Android Automotive offers openness, customization, and scale to automotive infotainment systems and head units.
Is Android Automotive the same as Android on a phone?
Android Automotive is not a fork or parallel development of Android. It is the same codebase and lives in the same repository as the Android shipped on phones, tablets, smartwatches, etc., but with some extra features that make it safer to use while driving, and more connected to the vehicle hardware.
What is the difference between Android Automotive & Android Auto?
Android Auto is a platform running on the user’s phone, projecting the Android Auto user experience to a compatible in-vehicle infotainment system over a USB or WiFi connection.
Android Automotive is an operating system and platform running directly on the in-vehicle hardware, powering the infotainment experience.
What apps can I build for Android Automotive?
You can currently build Media Player apps that can be distributed through the Automotive Play store. Android Automotive OS includes a set of APIs that handle playback and browsing experiences for media apps in cars.
What is the roadmap for Android Automotive?
In the course of building Android into a full-featured platform for infotainment, Google are adding support for automotive-specific requirements, features, and technologies. Android Automotive will be a full-stack, turnkey automotive infotainment platform, just as Android is for mobile today.