Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

CES 2023: BMW is going all-in on Android Auto Open Source – here’s why

Nate Swanner
By

At CES 2023, BMW announced that its OS 9 platform, slated for release in 2023, will be the company’s first with an infotainment system entirely on the Android Auto Open Source (AAOS) platform. With the update, BMW will adopt a more map-centric approach and weave more third-party apps into its operating system.

BMW has been using Linux for the underpinnings of its iDrive interface, which gave the company complete control of its entire software stack. However, the move to AAOS represents a technological shift and an interface update for BMW. Like Android proper, AAOS encourages developers to create “skinned” versions of Android Auto for their vehicles.

A concept car at the BMW CES 2023 Keynote.
Nate Swanner/Digital Trends

AAOS supports third-party app integration, too. BMW says it will utilize the Aptoid app store for its platform. Though BMW was hesitant to provide a reason for not using Google Play proper, data privacy is the likely cause.

Recommended Videos

One important distinction: AAOS is not the same as Google Automotive Services (GAS), which you find in Volvo and Ford vehicles. BMW wanted to refrain from licensing a fully integrated in-car platform, and there are many data privacy concessions the automaker would have to make. Implementing GAS essentially gives Google access to all your data, and that makes BMW uncomfortable.

Related

When asked if BMW would adopt Apple’s incoming full-CarPlay experience, company representatives said it was not “in scope” with their plans. BMW seems hesitant to relinquish control of its instrument panel (the screen behind the steering wheel).

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why Android, and why now?

AAOS gives auto manufacturers the ability to manage complexity. BMW says its core codebase for the 7 Series is 150 million lines of code. A worldwide team of 8,000 developers and IT experts commit over 100,000 software builds daily for BMW, often working on 3,000 builds per hour in parallel.

AAOS allows BMW to manage its infotainment software stack better, implement third-party apps, and create a more fluid user interface. The AAOS developer guidelines suggest auto companies brand their apps, too, so BMW can continue to build its own apps while using the AAOS app design ethos.

There is no single “platform” for the software in a car, either. Infotainment is typically open-source software. Safety and driver assistance features are often licensed or modular solutions, and real-time functions are almost always cross-OEM and built on the Autosar platform. AAOS is a reliable platform for connecting all those dots, at least for BMW. ADAS and the shared service layers will remain Linux builds.

Like many auto manufacturers, BMW is mindful that its customers exist in a digital-first environment. Touchscreens are familiar, even in cars, and mobile interfaces on phones and tablets are how many people interact with the world daily. AAOS helps BMW create a more mobile-like in-car experience without trying to recreate the wheel, and provides a firm set of guidelines for developers but enough freedom to let auto companies create experiences that are uniquely theirs.

2023 will be a time BMW realigns its strategy behind Android Auto Open Source. The company says some existing iDrive 8 vehicles, which have a full Linux-based platform, will receive an “iDrive 8.5” build that’s a lot like iDrive 9 and OS 9, which will have a greater focus on BMW’s map app and touch interactivity. The half-step iDrive 8.5 won’t be full a full AAOS build, but it will feel like it.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Nate Swanner
Nate Swanner
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations
The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more