Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd has joined the Open Automotive Alliance, a global alliance of automakers committed to bringing the Android platform to cars. The announcement was made at Google I/O, the Google developers' conference held in San Francisco.
As part of this alliance and partnership with Google, Mahindra will provide its customers with Android Auto in the near future. Android Auto extends the Android platform to cars. The company said that it is developing the technology for use in its Scorpio and XUV500 SUVs. The technology offers vehicle owners access to Google Maps as well as other Google and third party services via the car’s infotainment system.
Talking about this development, Pravin Shah, President and Chief Executive (Automotive), Mahindra & Mahindra said, “We are happy to be part of the OAA and being the first Indian OEM to be part of this prestigious global alliance, it is indeed a moment we are proud of. At Mahindra we have always been committed to introducing newer technological offerings in our vehicles in an endeavour to create an enriched user experience and provide better value technologies to our customers. Going forward, after successful integration, we will be offering Android Auto in our flagship models of XUV 500 and the Scorpio as well as on our future platforms. I am confident that this will help us in taking a quantum leap in offering connectivity solutions to our customers”.
At present, Mahindra offers the Blue Sense app in its SUVs through which users can pair their phone to the infotainment system via Bluetooth.