There’s Now An Automotive-Grade Linux For Open-Source Cars

There’s Now An Automotive-Grade Linux For Open-Source Cars

There’s no denying your car’s dashboard is pretty dumb, which is why Microsoft, Apple and Google are all trying to smarten it up. But there’s also a new open-source alternative, in the shape of Automotive Grade Linux.

AGL is a Linux distribution tailored for cars, and it’s a collaborative project between the Linux Foundation and a wide-ranging list of companies in the automotive industry, including Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota and Nissan. The first release, now available for free online, is based on Tizen IVI — which is famously used in some phones, but also appears in TVs and some cars already.

So, what does it offer? A bunch of things! Here’s a list from AGL:

  • Home Screen
  • Dashboard
  • Google Maps
  • HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
  • Media Playback
  • News Reader (AppCarousel)
  • Audio Controls
  • Bluetooth Phone
  • Smart Device Link Integration

Which kinda covers most bases. From the screenshots above, you can see the kind of things they’re gunning for. Yes, it certainly looks like a Linux version of a car dash — but for many people that might not be a bad thing. It will be interesting to see how it gets used. [Automotive Grade Linux via Var Guy]


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