The 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show has recently concluded, presenting a vivid showcase of the burgeoning market for domestic electric vehicles in ChinaAs a leading player in the arena, BYD shone brightly, unveiling its range of brands including Dynasty, Ocean, Denza, and Yangwang, with one of the standout models being the Denza Z9GTMarketed as the "world's first D-class tech luxury flagship GT," it drew throngs of visitors at the event, intrigued by its sophisticated design and innovative technology.
Notably, the Denza Z9GT is the first collaboration between BYD and OPPO, a move that signifies a deeper integration between automotive and mobile technologiesIt boasts an array of advanced features that enhance connectivity, such as seamless navigation transitions, application continuity, voice vehicle control, privacy modes, and departure reminders, all of which contribute to a smarter and more convenient travel experience.
This collaboration between BYD and OPPO is not an isolated instance but rather a representation of a broader trend that is reshaping the landscape of intelligent transportationAs technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, more automobile manufacturers and mobile tech companies are awakening to the immense potential held in their synergistic integration, fundamentally altering the ecosystem of smart mobility.
A Historical Context of Car-Mobile Connectivity
Interestingly, the concept of "car-mobile connectivity" is far from being a novel phenomenonTracing back to 2004, a pivotal step was taken when Nokia aligned with BMW to introduce the Nokia Car Kit CK-1WThis was one of the world’s earliest products enabling the interconnectivity of phones and cars via Bluetooth, providing an innovative solution that paved the way for future technological advancements in this realm.
In 2011, Nokia, leveraging its insights into mobile-car connectivity technology, joined forces with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to launch MirrorLink, a system that enabled mirroring of mobile screens onto car displays
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This groundbreaking technology supported various functions including navigation, music playback, and messaging, and found its applications in devices from brands such as Samsung and Sony, as well as cars from Volkswagen and CitroënMirrorLink is often recognized as the cornerstone of modern automotive mobile connectivity.
At that time, traditional in-car entertainment systems faced criticism for their complicated interfaces and limited functionalitiesConversely, smartphones were quickly becoming essential travel companions thanks to their fluid operating experiences and extensive ecosystemsRecognizing this shift, Apple acted to capitalize on the emerging market opportunities for intelligent in-car systems.
In March 2014, Apple rolled out CarPlay, a sophisticated in-car smart system designed to create an interface that seamlessly integrates familiar iPhone functionalities such as navigation, music playback, and messaging into vehiclesCarPlay stood out for its ease of use and focus on minimizing distractions for driversIts implementation by luxury auto manufacturers like Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo boosted public awareness and familiarization with mobile-car connectivity solutions.
Observing the influence of CarPlay in the realm of mobile-car integration, competitors rushed to establish their own systemsJust two months after CarPlay's launch, Google unveiled Android Auto in June 2014, also dedicated to creating a multifaceted connection between smartphones and vehicles through its extensive user base and diverse array of applications.
China's internet giants were also eager to stake their claimBaidu debuted its cross-platform CarLife solution in January 2015, marking its entry as China’s first comprehensive mobile-car connectivity platform supporting both Android and iOSThis advantage allowed users of various smartphones access to the connective functionalities, setting the stage for further advancements.
In the wake of CarLife's debut, multiple solutions manifested in the market, such as Aliyun OS for Car, Tencent's automotive platform, Huawei HiCar, OPPO Car+, Vivo Jovi InCar, Xiaomi CarWith, and Meizu Flyme Link, reflecting a diverse and rapidly evolving landscape of mobile-car connectivity options
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A trend emerged wherein functions began to transcend simple entertainment and basic information display to incorporate features involving intelligent driving assistance, customized enhancements, and synchronized operation across multiple devicesThe continuous advancements in connection technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and UWB further optimized these integrations, enhancing the stability of mobile-car communication.
Diversified Approaches by Leading Players
Today, mobile-car connectivity is transitioning from its earlier "1.0 single-link era," where mobile applications were primarily used to control vehicles, to the "2.0 interconnected era," characterized by seamless switching between mobile devices and vehicle systemsHowever, as various manufacturers pursue this new phase, their strategies and methodologies diverge considerablyCurrent mobile-car connectivity technology can be synthesized into at least three distinct approaches.
The first method involves mirroring mobile displays onto vehicle systems, where the smartphone serves as the computational hub while the car system focuses on the user interface and interaction functionalitiesApple CarPlay, Meizu Flyme Link, and Huawei HiCar typify this methodUsing Apple CarPlay as an illustration, the system relies on the iPhone's substantial computational power to carry out tasks like navigation or music, while the vehicle's system primarily displays the mirrored content and allows for interaction from within the car.
Yet, the reliance on mobile devices poses challenges—any malfunction, power loss, or absence of the mobile device can hinder the functionality of the connected vehicle systemMoreover, both systems necessitate high compatibility to ensure a stable and smooth mirroring experience.
In contrast, Meizu’s Flyme Link goes beyond mere display mirroringIt enables hardware and computational resource sharing once a Meizu phone connects to a vehicle, granting the car enhanced operational capabilities and supporting complex functions beyond the confines of conventional mobile mirroring systems.
The second approach utilizes a super account ID system to create a connectivity pathway between the mobile and car environments, allowing seamless transitions across different contexts
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For instance, Tencent's Smart Mobility provision enables users to log in from multiple devices (phones and vehicles) with a unified account, facilitating unbroken connectivity across varying contexts.
This model, however, rests heavily on the integration of ecosystemsAll participating application developers and auto manufacturers must adopt a unified account system for seamless functionality; otherwise, features may not align perfectly.
The third strategy involves linking mobile and vehicle systems' underlying operating structures, facilitating an interconnected experience based on the same operating systemPlatforms like Xiaomi's Surge OS, Huawei's HarmonyOS, and NIO’s Sky OS exemplify this integration-oriented approach.
The Xiaomi SU7, powered by Surge OS, efficiently implements distributed architecture allowing for shared computational resources between mobile and vehicle systemsIf both systems utilize Surge OS, users can transition applications—like navigation—between their phone and the vehicle with ease, maintaining prior settings and progress across platforms, significantly enriching user experience.
Moreover, Surge OS's flexibility allows for integration not just with Xiaomi devices, but also with third-party gadgets such as tablets and other smartphones, creating a larger, more intertwined ecosystem of “people, vehicles, and home.”
However, this framework necessitates alignment across brands, which poses a significant barrier to adoption for both automobile and mobile device manufacturersAchieving widespread utilization also mandates considerable investment in the adaptation and promotion of this shared operating environment, making it more feasible only with devices from the same brand.
Judging by these three prevalent models, each presents unique benefits and characteristics, contributing positively to the deepening integration of mobile and automotive technologies, thus meeting varied user demands
Nonetheless, harmonizing underlying operating systems may prove imperative for cultivating a more seamless experienceThe continued evolution toward a unified distributed operating system is likely to emerge as a vital capability required across the industry.
Expansion in Progress
Echoing sentiments expressed by former Meizu CEO Shen Ziyu, the automotive landscape is unlikely to favor manufacturers lacking mobile software capabilitiesToday, the relationship between cars and smartphones is in a state of flux, a transition underscoring the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Whether it’s BYD and OPPO's collaboration on the Denza Z9GT, Volkswagen’s establishment of a cross-industry design lab with Vivo, or Lynk & Co. and Geely using Meizu's Flyme Auto onboard system, these initiatives signify a profound ambition toward exploring and deepening connectivity realmsThese shifts indicate an increasingly blurred line between automotive and consumer electronics industries, propelling both toward an era of integration.
Nevertheless, while the potential of mobile-car connectivity appears broadening, it grapples with significant hurdles, notably the “connectivity barriers.”
The automotive landscape is diverse, with a plethora of brands and car systems ranging from proprietary systems developed by traditional manufacturers to various custom Android solutionsBy contrast, mobile operation systems predominantly exist in the framework of Android and iOS, each heavily customized by brands to foster distinct bottom architecture and feature sets.
For instance, enabling a car running Meizu's Flyme Auto to connect seamlessly with non-Meizu devices entails navigating multiple variables such as system versions and chip architecture, demanding extensive adaptation efforts.
Consequently, while mobile-car connectivity is highly developed, it often represents isolated ecosystems, as genuine interconnectivity remains elusive
Specific systems developed by companies such as Huawei’s HarmonyOS and Meizu's Flyme Auto frequently require proprietary devices to access their full suite of functionalities, offering a commercial advantage to manufacturers but also posing barriers for consumers.
This insular approach highlights a critical industry issue centered on the fragmentation caused by multiple smartphone brands and operating systems, reminiscent of the schisms experienced during the smartphone wars between Android and iOS, each with distinct advantages.
To address these challenges, manufacturers are increasingly pursuing collaborative efforts to enhance user experiences through broader integrationIn September 2021, an initiative led by Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo, amongst others, marked the inception of the ICCOA Smart Vehicle Connected Open Alliance, aimed at exploring cooperative scenarios and technological standards enhancing connectivity between intelligent devices and vehicles.
The alliance's recently unveiled Carlink 1.5 protocol places an emphasis on harmonizing support for mainstream mobile brands and vehicle systems in China, effectively allowing for smoother connections and shared applicationsCurrently, a total of eight brands (including OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme, iQOO, Redmi, and Meizu) have embraced this protocol, collectively representing over 250 million devices.
Simultaneously, numerous auto manufacturers are actively expanding their collaborations to diversify their connectivity approachesNotably, Huawei has established partnerships through its Harmony Intelligent Mobility ecosystem with companies like Seres, Chery, BAIC, Jianghuai, and Nissan, achieving impressive sales milestones within a year and accumulating over 500,000 vehicle deliveries.
Furthermore, RIFAN Motors has developed collaborative systems with OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi, presenting a pioneering mobile-car interconnected fusion strategy that eliminates the mobile device brand barrier
This open approach strives to cover a broader mobile user demographic, offering a more accessible and comprehensive connectivity experience.
The New Phase of Car-Mobile Connectivity
Undoubtedly, the race toward an intelligent automotive future has transformed competition into an era prioritizing mobile-car connectivity experiencesThe upcoming phase in this domain looks promisingAs mobile-car connectivity begins to support functions like smartphone keys, navigation transitions, and integrated dashboards, a trend moves toward a potential explosion of user experiences.
Overall, mobile-car connectivity is nearing stages capable of extensive computational interactions, as vehicle structures evolveArtificial Intelligence development underscores a growing shift toward integrated functionalities in both the cockpit and driving, likely yielding enriched user experiencesWith the comprehensive landscape of electronic and electrical vehicle architecture, the blast-off of concentrated, cross-domain computing platforms will soon begin, projected to capture over 30% of the market by 2030.
Along with asserting high-performance vehicle chips, the necessity for vehicle manufacturers to maintain robust, high-reliability capabilities is paramountThe next generation of vehicle electrical architecture might entail large-scale integration across numerous Electronic Control Units (ECUs), thus necessitating cutting-edge vehicle chips capable of processing vast data flows while ensuring system stability amid dynamic driving conditions, laying the groundwork for mobile-car connectivity.
With advanced vehicle chips and next-gen vehicle architecture driving the future of mobile-car synergy, expect faster and more stable interactions, enabling a plethora of intricate functionalities between devicesMeanwhile, with cohesive interaction between smart cockpits and driving functionalities, innovative applications emerge when vehicles navigate certain areas, prioritizing personalized services like optimized navigation routes or localized recommendations through seamless exchanges.
In addition, as the electronic landscape transforms, a wealth of data will be generated, from user preferences to environmental variables, shaping the tailored experiences offered through mobile-car connectivity
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