Those who think Android Automotive can only be used in cars are wrong. You can now use the program on your motorcycle as well.
Android Auto and Android Automotive are a must-have for car owners with Android smartphones. These programs link your smartphone to your car’s infotainment system.
But your car is no longer the only place you can use the operating system. The feature is now coming to motorcycles from KTM as well. So you can access the handy features of your smartphone even on your two-wheeler.
This is Android Automotive
There are plenty of reasons to want Android Automotive on your motorcycle. For example, by connecting your smartphone, you can use Google Maps navigation and easily choose your favorite playlist on Spotify. In addition, you can also make hands-free calls. However, this also works without connecting to your smartphone.
You might not think this is possible on a motorcycle, but KTM has thought this through. The Austrian manufacturer has announced the new Communication Control Unit (CCU) for its new TFT dashboard. The CCU has 32 gigabytes of storage, 3 GB of RAM and can connect via e-SIM, GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This also makes it possible to run Android Automotive on it.
(Image: KTM)
KTM is the first brand with Android Automotive
This makes KTM the first motorcycle maker to start supporting Android Automotive. Still, there is one thing to watch out for: KTM is not yet reporting that it is a “Google built-in. Probably users will have to wait a while for that before they can actually use apps like Google Maps to be.
KTM did, however, build its own offline navigation into the CCU, which actually means you don’t have to connect your smartphone to find your way around. Steps toward a full Android Automotive experience should be taken in the coming months. For example, updates currently have to be done through the KTM dealer, but in the future this should also become possible via an Internet connection.
All in all, it is good news that motorcyclists are now being considered with Android Automotive. Now for the final steps so that it really becomes a valuable addition. When it appears is still unknown, but first only premium models will get this screen.
Still, what KTM is doing with Android Automotive is not unique. Several parties already support Apple Carplay, think Honda and Harley Davidson.