Audi and Volvo are making a very public commitment to Google after pledging to build Android Auto into their next generation of cars. Rather than simply enabling your smartphone to interact with the vehicle, Google's software will form the backbone of these car's infotainment units. Users will, potentially, be able to use a wide variety of Android-specific apps on their whips, as well as use Google Maps for navigation. In addition, drivers will be able to control their AC, sunroof and windows from the same console that they find a new Spotify playlist or chat to their voice assistant.

Google has a developer conference coming up, and so the company is beginning to trumpet the abilities of its software platforms. It is hoping that more automakers will adopt Android Auto as a "turnkey" platform, one that car makers can simply use on their cars, similar to how phone manufacturers use Android itself.

Google has (finally) formally announced its "Android Automotive" in-car infotainment system. The company has signed a deal with Audi and Volvo to bring a car-focused version of Android to market, with Google building and licensing the OS for car makers just as it does for phone OEMs. Both Audi and Volvo will build Google's version of car Android into "their next generation" of cars.

Today Google's only spot in the automotive market is Android Auto, which is not an operating system. Android Auto is a "casted" interface that runs on a smartphone and uses the in-dash car display as an external touchscreen monitor. This new initiative (called "Android Automotive" in Google's Android compatibility documentation) is a full operating system that runs directly on the car's onboard computers.

Google has shown off two version of the infotainment system in the past. One with a Google-designed interface, which would be similar to a "Pure Google" Pixel phone, and one that has been skinned with a custom interface from Fiat-Chrysler, which is similar to what Android smartphone partners like Samsung and LG do.