One of the biggest complaints many Android smartphone users have is that manufacturers don’t support their devices after the first few years. After that, software updates will stop and only important security updates will show up – if they’re lucky. The question of Android Auto in cars raises similar concerns because new car outlast smartphones, and losing access to an important infotainment feature would be a huge disappointment for owners. Realizing that, volkswagen recently announced that it will support Android Auto for up to 15 years – what it considers the lifespan of a vehicle.
Dirk Hilgenberg is the CEO of VW Groups CARIAD . Software Division. I said Ars technique that the automaker has worked to establish contracts with the VW brands to provide lifetime support for software updates and usability. However, he said some brands will provide longer support periods for their technologies.
Hilgenberg outlined a number of challenges with the initiative, including: force CARIAD to be careful doesn’t create too many new features that have to be supported for years. “So that’s why we’re, as you can imagine, very cautious with release branches because each branch we need to maintain for this long.” He mentioned that the auto group needs to be especially careful to maintain service for its more exclusive vehicles, as the VW Group has heavyweights like porsche, Bugatti super carAnd lamborghini.
While this sounds like a long shot, analysts have reason to be optimistic. guide house Details Analyst Sam Abuelsamid said that the new software frameworks do not rely heavily on the underlying hardware, making the operating system much more supportable than smartphones.
He noted challenges related to long-term support, including automakers’ desire to establish subscription programs for vehicle features, which could be related to the infotainment. Buyers were unhappy about the prospect of paying more for a product they purchased and expect an even lower subscription in the future. old car buyer. If over-the-air updates were tied to a monthly subscription, the number of cars receiving new software could be dramatically reduced.
