LG unveils Android Automotive multi-screen car system

LG Electronics has unveiled new Android Automotive OS-based in-vehicle infotainment and software-defined vehicle solutions, with backing from Google and carmakers.

The products are designed to let automakers run several in-vehicle displays from a single system-on-chip instead of assigning a separate control chip to each screen. LG said this could reduce system complexity and lower deployment costs for navigation, vehicle information and entertainment functions.

The launch focuses on software built on Android Automotive OS, or AAOS, which carmakers use for in-car infotainment systems, as well as related software-defined vehicle technology. In practical terms, LG is targeting broader dashboard layouts that allow drivers and passengers to use different screens and services at the same time without a more fragmented hardware set-up.

One of the main features is support for multiple displays with different aspect ratios running simultaneously through a single chip. LG said the system uses resource allocation and load optimisation to manage those screens and is built on Qualcomm Technologies' Snapdragon Cockpit Platform.

LG outlined a use case in which the driver follows navigation on the main display while a front-seat passenger watches YouTube and rear-seat passengers view live television on separate screens. The system also supports individual user logins, personalised settings, content sharing and parental controls.

LG has also updated its voice-command interface for larger panoramic dashboard layouts. Users can use spoken commands to change screen layouts, control vehicle functions, launch apps and adjust volume, reducing the need for touch input, according to the company.

Google backing

According to LG, Google executives praised the new system's performance and its ability to support both instrument cluster and media entertainment functions on a single chip. LG added that they also viewed the software favourably for its ability to work across different chip environments and for its suitability for a range of automotive applications.

That endorsement matters because Android Automotive OS has become a key software layer for carmakers seeking to bring consumer-style digital services into vehicles while retaining control over how those services are presented. Competition in the sector has intensified as automotive suppliers, chip designers and software groups push to define the software stack for the next generation of connected cars.

For suppliers such as LG, the commercial case rests partly on simplifying hardware. Multi-screen vehicle interiors have become more common, but they can raise both bill-of-materials costs and engineering complexity when each display relies on separate processing hardware. A single-chip approach, if adopted at scale, could offer manufacturers a cheaper route to more screen-heavy cabin designs.

Automotive push

LG has been expanding its automotive business as carmakers place greater emphasis on digital dashboards, connected services and software-led vehicle architectures. The company's Vehicle Solution division has positioned infotainment, telematics and component systems as a core growth area beyond its traditional consumer electronics markets.

The latest announcement also highlights the increasingly close relationship between technology groups and automotive suppliers in shaping the in-car software experience. Carmakers are looking for systems that combine media, navigation, vehicle data and voice interaction in a single environment while still meeting automotive reliability requirements.

Patrick Brady, Vice President of Android Automotive at Google, commented on the development. "LG's solution clearly demonstrated how AAOS can enable more flexible, intelligent and engaging in-vehicle experiences," said Brady. "Its seamless multi-display integration, intuitive voice controls and stable performance powered by a single SoC stood out, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with LG to advance innovation for the SDV era."

LG said the work reflects its push to strengthen ties with major technology partners as software-defined vehicles become a larger part of the automotive market. Eun Seok-hyun, President of the LG Vehicle Solution Company, said: "We are honored that our technological expertise and commitment to customer experience innovation have been recognized. Through continued collaboration with Google and other major global tech partners, LG will continue to deliver differentiated in-vehicle customer experiences."