Google Completes 25 Years: Here’s How It Shaped Modern Cars And Our Driving Experiences

Google’s biggest breakthrough for the automobile industry was when it introduced the ‘Android Auto’ feature for better in-car connectivity

It was back on September 27, 1998, that Larry Page and Sergey Brin collaborated for a research project initially titled ‘Backrub.’ Soon after, it was renamed as ‘Google’ (as it’s known now), a play on the mathematical term for the number 1 followed by 100 zeros. Over the years, it has completely altered how almost everyone accesses information and connects with the world. Celebrating its 25th birthday, we take a look at how the global technology company made a huge impact on the way we travel and the automobile industry as well.

Google Maps: A World Map In Your Pocket

After features such as ‘Google News’ and ‘Gmail’ went live by 2004, the tech giant decided to try its hand in making travel easier. In early 2005, the company introduced ‘Google Maps,’ which is now used by more than 1 billion people globally every month. But one of its important updates came in 2008 when Google Maps was made available as a mobile application and then introduced turn-by-turn navigation in 2009.

Another key update for Google Maps was a new feature that gave real-time traffic news starting with some cities in the US. Android users today depend on Google Maps for their commute. Over the years, Google constantly improved it by introducing various updates including one to help save fuel, and ‘Immersive View’ option that gave a 3D view of a city that shows multiple details including parking spots.

Google is now working on introducing high-definition maps for cars starting with the Volvo EX90, Volvo’s new flagship electric SUV. HD maps will aid the driver by showing finer details such as lane markings, road signs, and traffic barriers.

Another way Google Maps changed the mobility landscape was by allowing other apps to integrate its various features for their own services. It played an important role in the birth of ride-sharing applications like Uber that revolutionised intra-city travel.

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Android Auto 

With smartphones gaining popularity in the mid 2010s, Google launched a vehicle-specific app called ‘Android Auto’ to help people stay connected on the go. It is a mobile software developed by Google to mirror the features of an Android device on a car’s touchscreen system. Basically, it allows you to access your phone’s apps, messages, notifications, music, and maps on the display setting on your car’s dashboard. It also redesigns the interface to make it easier to use while driving and being less dangerous than just using a smartphone interface on a dash-mounted touchscreen. Hyundai became the first car company to launch Android Auto in its cars starting with the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.

Google launched the Android Auto service in India in 2016, with Mahindra being the first to offer it in its cars, starting with the now-discontinued XUV500. The tech giant has been intermittently updating the Android Auto app to enhance the driver’s experience and to make it easier for use. Some of these updates include a split-screen functionality, digital car key (which started with BMW cars), and WhatsApp calls through Android Auto.

Google-based Infotainment Systems

The tech company’s next step, after developing a phone-mirroring interface for cars, was to develop an Android-based operating system for in-car infotainment setups called 'Android Automotive.' It essentially integrates Google services like Maps and Assistant to be accessed by default while on the move without even connecting your smartphone. Other native Google apps can also be accessed by using the Play Store, which is also present on the system.

Volvo, Renault, and Honda are some of the carmakers that already offer it on vehicles in their global portfolio. Google will soon be expanding it to other marques as well, including Ford and Nissan.

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Google has surely come a long way from being just a search engine with millions of hyperlinks, to connecting the world using its multiple services, and now featuring the Android-based operating systems for factory-fitted infotainment systems in cars. We are sure you must be using many of these features in your daily lives, and are looking forward to the updates likely to come our way soon. Which of these features do you like and use the most, and why? Drop your answers in the comments.