Automakers want to meet the software support challenge by committing to provide 15 years of updates for Android Automotive. The Volkswagen Group is serious business and wants to guarantee updates throughout the life of a car.
Google is doing an impressive job of colonizing the ecosystem of in-car infotainment systems. Initially, the Android operating system appeared in new vehicles in the form of Android Auto, to display the content of your smartphone on the screen of your car. More recently, Google has developed Android-Automotive, present in new cars from General Motors, Renault, Polestar, Volvo, Honda and soon BMW and Volkswagen Group. It is an autonomous and on-board infotainment system, very similar to the one we have on our smartphones.
A sensitive issue accompanies Android Automotive: that of software support. The expected life of a car is much longer than that of an Android smartphone. With infotainment systems now essential to the operation of a car, how long can you reasonably expect them to be supported? In other words: how long will we receive new software updates in our cars?
So far, just over seven years is the longest time an Android phone has received support, such as Fairphone. Generally, it is around 2 to 5 years. Just imagining a few years of updates to your car…it’s unthinkable.
At least 15 years old, and much more for some brands
Ars Technica had the opportunity to ask this question to Dirk Hilgenberg, CEO of Cariad, the software division of the Volkswagen Group. Cariad has indeed concluded a contract with the various brands, the negotiation of which took time, but the assistance throughout the life of the vehicle was essential. Cariad therefore considers Android updates for the life of the car to be 15 years.
Optional longer duration updates are expected to be offered for individual brands in the group. For manufacturers of exotic vehicles such as Bugatti, Lamborghini or Porsche, Cariad will also provide support over a much longer lifespan. These cars have decades-long lifespans. Moreover, for “normal” cars, the 15 years only start at the end of production (EOP) and must be respected throughout this period. Understand by this: the exit of the first vehicle of a series of the assembly line. We can therefore imagine a support that goes well beyond 15 years.
This is an important topic for car manufacturers, which should also be for smartphone brands, cybersecurity and legal requirements are major issues, as updates and releases are rolled out globally, particularly in China, the United States and Europe. Safety is a top priority. It’s also a way for car manufacturers to stand out on this point in the market.
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