The new technology does not require you to download apps or stick with particular brands.
Earlier this week, CarBuzz spoke to Niclas Gyllenram, CEO of AiDEN Automotive, and we learned that the company is about to revolutionize the connected services space with its new Android Automotive-based software. The company has come up with the AiDEN Hub, the automotive industry's first bi-directional service hub. This is a software-based innovation that removes the clutter of numerous apps and subscriptions that you may not want or need from the car, instead providing you with a single platform from which all sorts of services – from insurance to charging to parking – are readily available as and when you need them.
This is a brilliant idea, as it's currently very impractical to register for multiple different apps to access a single service. Think of EVs – you need a different interface to access Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint charging stations despite the fact that they all provide the same service.
What about parking in major cities? Have you ever tried to pay for parking for a Cadillac Escalade in New York City? It's a nightmare.
Gyllenram is not only the CEO; he's also “the product guy,” as his colleagues refer to him. He spent seven years at Volvo developing its infotainment systems and is also responsible for the automaker's collaboration with Google. At the time, he assumed that various service providers in the automotive industry would rush to roll out native apps on various vehicles, but that has not happened. Apple CarPlay has evolved to the point that it can be used to customize an entire dash, but there is still no industry standard; Android Automotive has also come a long way and is the default choice for many automakers. In addition, it's challenging enough for a company to develop a smartphone app on two software platforms, let alone different apps for different infotainment systems.
Thankfully, a trend seems to be emerging, and Android Automotive appears to be the default choice for many. Volvo uses it, and so do Volkswagen and General Motors. Thanks to many brands using the same basic software, a new opportunity for connected services has presented itself.
The AiDEN Hub lets OEMs and customers give cars access to various services without the need for a specific app, as everything on the Hub is web-based. In addition, one can set various location monitors. The Hub can activate location services when the car is in Park, every 10 seconds, or only in a certain area. This is helpful when you're looking for an EV charger, for example, as the payment portal for the specific charging station would automatically launch when the car detects its proximity to the charger. By connecting to other web-based services, one could find better routes for navigation that avoid congestion. And when in a crash, the system could help occupants contact their insurance provider and report incidents easily.
A manufacturer could also use the VIN to decide which services are available to the vehicle, and the same number could be used to add or remove services after the sale of a used car.
AiDEN is partnered with the Volvo Group, working on a proof-of-value project that will run until Q3 2023, with the project’s main focus on validating various applications that this software makes possible. Volvo’s sister brand Lynk & Co is currently testing the tech on production cars with the aim of adding more tailored services to fit with the automaker’s no-strings-attached means of mobility. And more than 20 different service providers are on the Hub, spanning categories like insurance, parking, maintenance, fleet management, and entertainment. More will soon be added.
“Different car brands cannot talk to other car brands, cities can't talk to cars, insurance companies can't talk to cars, and most communication to vehicles is one-way – the industry's current infrastructure is too slow and fragmented, and everyone does it differently,” said Gyllenram. “We knew it was possible to create a world where your vehicle anticipates your every need, delivering tailored services to you in an instant while at the same time providing a platform for OEMs and service providers to create added value for drivers while also creating new revenue streams. It's a win-win-win for everyone.”
Keyword: AiDEN Turns Android Automotive Into One-Stop Connected Services Shop