By Matt Crowley
Publication Date: 2026-03-24 00:00:00
Modern cars are quickly becoming computers on wheels. From pre-heating your car in the morning to using your smartphone as a car key, many of today’s vehicle functions are controlled by software. These Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) allow for rapid innovation, bringing new features over-the-air much faster.
But moving to software-defined vehicles doesn’t come without challenges. Different manufacturers have developed different software architectures, integrating software modules from dozens of different suppliers. This fragmented approach means carmakers have to spend time on building infrastructure rather than what truly differentiates them in a fast-moving market.
At Android, we believe that open platforms can help to increase innovation and reduce complexity. By championing open platforms, we empower the industry to define what tomorrow’s cars will offer. We began this journey with Android Automotive OS (AAOS), providing carmakers the choice to build premium infotainment…




