Google is reportedly going to introduce its own in-car operating system known internally as Google Auto Link next week in San Francisco.
Three sources familiar with the project were cited in a report this week from Automotive News saying that the system will rival Apple's recently introduced CarPlay, according to PC Magazine.
The report stated that Auto Link will let consumers use their Android smartphones to control the car's controls and display screen.
The sources said Auto Link will be unveiled on June 25-26 in San Francisco at Google's annual developer conference, Kicking Tires reported.
"I haven't seen it to know what it looks like, but it's going to be something very similar to CarPlay," said Mark Boyadjis, senior analyst for IHS.
Boyadjis added that Auto Link will most likely not be an overall operating system for cars, but instead an application that brings "as much of the function of the phone into the car" as possible.
"One of the main issues is [that] they're trying to put a consistent Android integration compatibility into the cars," he said.
The system is reported to be the first product created by the Open Automotive Alliance, a group led by Google that includes Honda, Audi, GM, Nvidia, and Hyundai. The goal of the collaboration is to increase innovation for in-car technology, PC Magazine reported.
Apple introduced CarPlay at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The system is billed as a "smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car," being able to sync the device with the car's built-in display. CarPlay also includes Siri voice control, which allows drivers to make calls, get directions, send and receive messages, and listen to music while driving.
The efficiency of Auto Link is said to be affected by the car itself.
"They're not going to be able to create a touch-screen environment if you don't have a touch-screen, because that's the hardware in the car," Boyadjis said. However, the system will be "bringing those apps like Gmail, bringing in the apps like Calendar, Google Maps and navigation, stuff like that" to the center display.
CarPlay will be released this year, and will be available in select cars from Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and Volvo.
Google did not offer a comment on the report.
