Well, you don’t have to wait anymore as South Korea’s Hyundai just became the first carmaker to offer Google’s Android Auto system.
The system will be rolled out in its Hyundai’s Sonata 2015 model and android smartphone users can demand the download from car dealers. The download is free if they have a vehicle with navigation.
According to a BBC report, the system connects to the driver’s smartphone and allows them to access apps like Google Maps by voice, steering wheel controls or a touchscreen on the dashboard.
Google had announced last year that it was working with automakers including Hyundai, Audi and Honda to integrate the operating system on car dashboards.
With this test rollout, car owners should expect the operating system integrated into 28 different brands by 2016, Google said.
Google is not the only one working on this type of integration as Apple is also working with BMW, GM and Honda and Hyundai appears to be keeping its options open, looking to spread the Google system across its car models, along with Apple’s version (called CarPlay).
The system is expected to improve the safety of drivers and add a “high technology experience”.
“The smartphone’s screen becomes locked, so drivers are not tempted to look down and interact with their phones directly while Android Auto is in use,” the carmaker said in a statement.
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