Google recently developed Android Automotive, an operating system that can be installed in new cars from General Motors, Polestar, Volvo, Honda, and soon-to-be-released BMW and Volkswagen Group.
As cars have a longer expected lifespan than smartphones, and information and entertainment systems are crucial to the operation of cars, the duration of support for these systems is also very important.
In response, Dirk Hilgenberg, CEO of CARIAD (Volkswagen Group’s software division), said that they will provide “lifetime support” for car software.
So what does “lifetime support” mean? “After the service ends, we will provide longer support for brands that want longer support time,” he said.
Regarding Hilgenberg’s statement, a spokesperson for CARIAD said, “As a development service provider for Volkswagen brand cars, CARIAD provides operational services, updates, upgrades, new versions, error fixes, and patches related to its hardware and software products. We typically provide long-term support for our hardware and software versions. In some cases, this may continue for up to 15 years after the end of production (EOP) for hardware and 10 years after EOP for software versions. In addition, we comply with legally mandated deadlines, and provide network security and security updates and patches as long as a feature is available. We may also reach individual agreements with brands to meet their customers’ specific needs.”
