With CES 2014 just around the corner, many in the tech community are drawing their lines in the sand as to what dreams they'll be chasing in the coming year. Now Google has taken another step in its bid to counter Apple's iOS in the Car initiative with a similar system based on its Android operating system. On Monday the company announced four automotive companies have joined its Open Automotive Alliance to make these Android cars a reality.
According to AppleInsider, talks of the initiative first surfaced earlier last week with a report that Google and German manufacturer Audi were working on a partnership deal aimed at brining "infotainment" systems to the carmakers future vehicle lineup.
Now Google has announced Audi, General Motors, Hyundai and Honda to its Automotive Alliance, giving the company four of the top ten auto manufactures in the world on its side.
The group now has a website, which outlines its goals. According to the site, "timing from each automaker will vary, but [consumers] can expect to see the first cars with Android integration by the end of the year." Talks with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have reportedly already begun.
Apple opened the door to smartphone integration with automobiles with the announcement of iOS in the Car back in June at its World Wide Developer's Conference. General Motors, Hyundai and Honda were among the manufacturers previously on board for Apple and have already announced vehicles sporting the iPhone-powered system for release later this year.
The Open Automotive Alliance is apparently based on a similar alliance the company made called the Open Handset Alliance. Google leads the consortium that drives commercial development of Android for mobile devices.
In a statement announcing the Alliance, Honda's R&D head Yoshiharu Yamamoto said that the company is "very pleased to join this alliance with Google as a founding member because Honda is committed to providing the very best connected-car experience to our customers."
