Proton’s ATLAS infotainment head unit (IHU) developer ACO Tech has confirmed that it is working to get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (AACP) support on the automaker’s vehicles. This was revealed by its head of project management Sunny Wang during a media preview of the upcoming Proton S70 sedan, Paultan.org reports.
Wang assured that AACP integration is currently under development, and that “it won’t be long” before customers are able to enjoy the ability to mirror their smartphone displays on the ATLAS IHU. Meanwhile, Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah acknowledged that support for the two systems are indeed long overdue, but noted the integration won’t be rolled out as a simple software update. Instead, changes to the IHU’s chipset are required in order to support AACP, he added.
However, it is revealed that a change of hardware is just one of several issues that both the automaker and ACO Tech need to address. Chief amongst which are license acquisitions from Google and Apple, which Roslan said has proven to be “a bit of a hassle.”
“We’re still discussing with Google to work with us, and it’s similar with Apple,” the Proton deputy CEO said. “The geopolitics make it difficult for us.”
What Roslan is likely referring to is the political tension and tech rivalry between the US and China. This dispute has prevented tech giants such as Google and Apple from working with certain Chinese companies and manufacturers, though it is unclear whether Proton’s partial owner Geely is actually affected by this. For the uninitiated, the Zhejiang-based company holds 49.9% stake in the local automaker, while several of its vehicles have been used as base models for the latter’s more recent car releases – the aforementioned Proton S70, for example.
Unfortunately, neither Proton or ACO Tech have mentioned when exactly Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support will arrive to the former’s vehicles. One thing’s for certain, customers won’t be seeing it yet on the upcoming S70 model that’s slated to launch next week on 28 November 2023.
(Source: paultan.org)
