Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi get in bed with Google

If you think smartphone-mirroring multimedia systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are the bee’s knees, then you’ll love Google’s next-generation integrated in-car infotainment system.

And you’ll be happy to know that Google continues to buddy-up with car-makers to deploy its upcoming Android OS-based infotainment system in a multitude of new cars.

One of the largest car groups in the world, the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi alliance, has just stated that from 2021 its will begin rolling out the US tech company’s new multimedia platform in its vehicle.

The French-Japanese auto conglomerate says its new in-car multimedia system will fully integrate Google Maps, AI-based Google Assistant voice-control functionality and even the Google Play Store.

Volvo has already signed an agreement with Google to integrate Android infotainment systems into its cars but the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi alliance announcement will see the number of vehicles with Android functionality skyrocket in future.

"With the integration of the Android platform into our infotainment systems, we are adding a new level of intelligence to our connected vehicles," said Kal Mos, global vice-president of alliance connected vehicles at Renault Nissan Mitsubishi.

"In the future, the Google Assistant, which employs Google's leading AI technology, can become the main way customers interact with their vehicles, hands-free.

"With Google Maps and the Google Assistant embedded in Alliance infotainment systems, our customers will have some of the most advanced AI based applications at their fingertips.

“And with in-vehicle access to the Google Play Store, our customers will enjoy an open and secure ecosystem of Android apps engineered for vehicles," said Mos.

It's not yet clear if Google will have access to the data collected from owners’ cars, as driver behaviour and movements become highly monetisable in a digital world.

Android is claimed to be the world's most popular operating system and Google Maps is widely recognised as being superior to both in-built navigation systems and Apple Maps.

The Google Assistant allows occupants to respond to texts and calls, request information from the internet and even control certain vehicle functions -- not unlike what is already available with the Ford SYNC and Mercedes-Benz MBUX infotainment systems.

There's also talk of an "Alliance Intelligent Cloud" that will deliver over-the-air updates to car systems like Tesla models and the upcoming BMW X5.

It can also run vehicle diagnostics remotely and take care of data management, such as downloaded songs.

"Google and Renault Nissan Mitsubishi share a common vision of delivering an intelligent, safe and seamless in-car experience with apps and services that are familiar, upgradable and connected," said Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior vice-president of platforms and ecosystems at Google.

"We're thrilled to partner with Renault Nissan Mitsubishi to bring the Google Assistant, Google Maps, and other popular apps via the Play Store and Android to drivers and passengers around the world."

Apple iPhone users needn't worry too much, however, as Google and the car-makers claim their next-generation infotainment system will "also be compatible with devices running other operating systems, such as Apple iOS."