Google LLC is taking Android into a potentially highly lucrative but so far elusive new market.

The technology giant today announced a partnership with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the largest automaker group in the world, to bring the operating system to the dashboard displays included in the companies’ vehicles. The Wall Street Journal reported the collaboration will see Android become available in millions of cars worldwide.

Google’s new partners plan to start shipping vehicles with displays powered by the operating system in 2021. According to the companies, the integration will give users access to outside apps in the Play Store along with the technology giant’s own mobile services.

The collaboration is set to prioritize two services in particular: Google Maps and Google Assistant. The artificial intelligence will enable users to take calls, write text messages, look up information online and access other vehicle functions using voice commands.

Google already has a significant presence in the auto market, albeit indirectly. Many consumers access the company’s services in their vehicles through its Auto OS app or mount their mobile device on the dashboard. The move to bring Android directly to in-car systems will cement Google’s position and, in the process, should give it access to valuable new user data.

To date, the auto industry has been hesitant to cede this information to outside providers. That’s the reason why many current vehicles’ dashboard displays run proprietary software often developed by carmakers in-house. Today’s partnership will enable the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to provide a user experience more on par with that available to consumers on their Android phones.

At the same time, the three automakers intend to keep their options open. The systems that will be developed as part of the project are set to provide support for other operating systems, including Apple Inc.’s iOS.

Even with the potential competition from Apple, the partnership still stands to expand Android’s reach significantly. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi sold more than 10.6 million vehicles last year, a number projected to surpass 14 million in 2022. Google is also collaborating with Audi AG and The Volvo Group to build Android into some of their future car models. 

Photo: Google