Porsche announced that it will soon offer Google Maps, Google Assistant, as well as a variety of other apps through the Google Play Store on its “future vehicle generations”. Vehicles with the new infotainment system will begin production “in the middle of the decade”.
While the company doesn’t specifically mention it in its press release, the announcement essentially confirms that the next-generation Porsche Communication Manager (PCM) system will be built on the Android Automotive OS (with Google Automotive Services), similar to other carmakers such as Volvo, Ford and the General Motors group.
Aside from bringing access to the wide variety of apps and Google services in the cars, Porsche says that the new Android-based infotainment system will also allow for various “ecosystems from different providers” to be integrated directly into the vehicle, making PCM “an integral part of the digital ecosystem of Porsche customers worldwide”.
Despite the switch to a new operating system, the company says that the familiar user interface of its existing PCM system will remain largely unchanged. The Android Automotive-based software will also receive regular over-the-air updates to keep the PCM system up-to-date.
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“Our customers fulfil a dream with our vehicles. In addition to timeless design and exceptional performance, they also want a seamless digital experience,” says Porsche AG Chairman, Oliver Blume. “This blended ecosystem results from the integration of platforms and apps that customers know from their end devices.”
“We have an open approach and are developing innovations with leading technology partners,” Blume adds, saying that the partnership between Porsche and Google will be a long-term venture.
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