Google is planning to expand Android Automotive OS beyond its current role as an infotainment system, aiming to power entire software-defined vehicles. The tech giant says its new version of AAOS can address the industry's fragmentation problem, where carmakers use incompatible software stacks from various suppliers. This move comes as vehicles increasingly rely on software for core features like remote climate control and smart key functionality.

Car companies have long guarded their vehicle software, viewing it as both a safety concern and valuable data asset. Google's entry into this space began with Android Auto, which initially ran on phones before shifting to a projection model for car displays. The company then developed Android Automotive OS, which runs Android locally on vehicles. Now Google wants to leverage AAOS for more than just entertainment and navigation.

While Google positions this as a solution to industry fragmentation, most automakers are expected to move cautiously. The automotive industry's protective stance toward vehicle software means widespread adoption of Google's expanded vision for AAOS won't happen overnight. This represents another step in cars becoming increasingly software-dependent, though carmakers will likely maintain tight control over what Google can access.