Technology has a way of stagnating until a breakthrough sparks significant progress. Consider artificial intelligence (AI), where computer vision and speech recognition made steady strides for years, but it wasn’t until models like GPT-3 and ChatGPT that AI truly achieved conversational capabilities that felt fluid and human-like.
The same pattern seems to be emerging in smartphone integration within modern vehicles. For years, both Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ have provided basic connectivity between smartphones and cars, offering turn-by-turn navigation, music streaming, and voice assistance. However, this integration has seen little evolution over the past several years, leaving many to wonder when or if substantial advancements will come. But that could soon change.
In this week’s New Tech Tuesday, we explore smartphone integration in vehicles at present and look ahead to new developments.
Every day, millions of drivers rely on the connection between their smartphones and vehicles for navigation, music, and communication. The process is relatively simple: Plug in your phone, buckle up, and by the time the engine starts, Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is ready to go. These apps debuted in 2014, and by 2017, many car manufacturers, including GM, Ford, Volkswagen, and BMW, had integrated one or both systems into their infotainment setups.
However, while this development was a major step forward, it has remained mostly unchanged for some time. Apart from a few refinements and the introduction of wireless connectivity (which gained traction around 2020), smartphone integration has offered essentially the same features for years, and many are wondering when it will evolve to match the advancements seen in other tech sectors. But the tides are shifting.
Recent advances in smartphone integration suggest significant changes are on the horizon, promising more seamless, functional, and personalized in-car experiences.
Apple’s next-generation CarPlay is set to revolutionize how drivers interact with their vehicles. This enhanced version of CarPlay will allow users to control a wider range of vehicle functions, from tire pressure monitoring to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). In addition, this update will provide deeper customization options, with displays spanning multiple screens across the dashboard to create a truly integrated environment.
And for Android Auto, Google is introducing new features aimed at improving the driving experience, particularly for electric vehicle (EV) owners. Real-time battery monitoring and charging station recommendations will soon be available, as will extended support for digital car keys that allow users to unlock and start their cars via their smartphones. Additionally, Google’s Chrome browser and streaming apps are making their way into select vehicles, expanding in-car entertainment options.
This week’s New Tech Tuesday showcases an automotive-grade LED driver from Diodes Incorporated that can help boost the reliability and performance of high-resolution displays and complex infotainment systems in modern cars.
The Diodes Incorporated AL58263Q is a 16-channel automotive-grade LED driver designed for applications such as infotainment backlighting and instrument clusters. It features constant current regulation and high-precision dimming control, making it ideal for ensuring consistent LED brightness across displays. The AL58263Q supports PWM dimming for smooth control over LED brightness and maintains stable performance across a wide voltage range, which is critical in fluctuating automotive environments.
The way smartphones are incorporated into cars should expect significant transformation soon. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been foundational apps for drivers, the stagnation that characterized the past few years is about to give way to more powerful and versatile systems. With 2024 model vehicles leading the charge, drivers can anticipate a truly connected experience that will seamlessly integrate their smartphones into their vehicles.
Rudy Ramos brings 35+ years of expertise in advanced electromechanical systems, robotics, pneumatics, vacuum systems, high voltage, semiconductor manufacturing, military hardware, and project management. Rudy has authored technical articles appearing in engineering websites and holds a BS in Technical Management and an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. Prior to Mouser, Rudy worked for National Semiconductor and Texas Instruments..