You might be reading this story on a Linux machine but that’s not the limit of the open source platform. Linux is set to be the lighthouse for connected cars, too.
Collaborative open source project Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) has just added tech companies like Movimento, Oracle, Qualcomm Innovation Center, Texas Instruments and UIEvolution to its board to uplift the ongoing developments of connected cars. The project was originally announced in September 2012, but its final picture was shaped at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this year.
Automakers such as Ford, Mazda and Mitsubishi were already planning to integrate Linux into some of their future connected car models. However, the newly emerged development from Oracle, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments suggests that Unix-like operating system could play a vital role in transforming the automobile market as a whole.
“AGL has seen tremendous growth over the past year as demand for connected car technology and infotainment are rapidly increasing,” said Dan Cauchy, general manager of Automotive division at The Linux Foundation, in a statement.
“Our membership base is not only growing rapidly, but it is also diversifying across various business interests, from semiconductors and in-vehicle software to IoT and connected cloud services. This is a clear indication that the connected car revolution has broad implications across many industry verticals,” Cauchy added.
AGL Unified Code Base for automotive industry
The Linux Foundation recently developed a new AGL Unified Code Base (UCB) distribution built that specifically targeted at the automotive industry. The distribution was announced at the CES in January with features like real-time navigation, communication, safety, security and infotainment. Moreover, it includes a mix of components from AGL, Tizen, and related open source code.
Apple Car competitors on way
So far, four car companies and ten software businesses are working together to bring Linux to the next-generation vehicles. This appears to be a competitive move against Apple Car, which would be unveiled in the coming years with a closed source platform.
A quarter billion connected vehicles
According to a report by research firm Gartner, there will be a quarter billion connected vehicles on the road by 2020. Linux would be one of the leading platforms in the market, while Google’s Android might also capture a decent share with Android Auto offering.
