Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance joins forces with Google

Google will supply its Android software to vehicles under the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance umbrella, as part of a multi-year agreement announced this week.

Android-based multimedia systems will begin rolling out across multiple brands in multiple markets from 2021, however the Alliance has yet to reveal the specifics of the deal.

The move to the new platform will provide access to things such as Google Maps and other applications from Google's Play Store marketplace.

Furthermore, future Alliance vehicles will feature voice control capability courtesy of Google Assistant, which will allow occupants to perform tasks such as answering calls, responding to text messages and controlling media functions via verbal commands.

To distinguish the Alliance brands from each other, each carmaker will use unique graphic user interfaces.

According to the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi global vice-president of Alliance connected vehicles Kal Mos, the partnership with Google will be a game changer for the automotive giant.

"With the integration of the Android platform into our infotainment systems, we are adding a new level of intelligence to our connected vehicles," he said.

"In the future, the Google Assistant, which employs Google's leading AI technology, can become the main way customers interact with their vehicles, hands-free.

"With Google Maps and the Google Assistant embedded in Alliance infotainment systems, our customers will have some of the most advanced AI-based applications at their fingertips.

"And with in-vehicle access to the Google Play Store, our customers will enjoy an open and secure ecosystem of Android apps engineered for vehicles."

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