Its all about "GAS" more of this at the end if you get there... but to summarise your new infotainment system is Android Automotive OS (AAOS) without Google Automotive Services (GAS) called One.Infotainment and it's in the Raval, Tavascan and Born 2026. Attempting in the thread to determine what native apps it will run. Mystery magical tour.
Post two Vags test equipment
. AAOP is the Android Automotive Open Source Project. Anyone familiar with Android TV and Fire TV will catch the drift. Both Android projects but one missing Google services or Android verses Windows WSA (Windows Android Subsystem) missing Google services. It's a branch where one is proprietary and the other not. VW has taken the non proprietary route... some will say can I still use Android Auto or Car Play, yes you can but the car will also come with access to it's own AAOS apps... the stage is set.
A quick read of the Raval manual:
www.cupraofficial.co.uk
Describes online and off line map updates as we know for mib3/4 that use Here Maps cartography. So download is possible and it describes the zonal nature of the online updates which point to mib3/4 cartography.
If we do a Google
The AI overview and links for AAOS the cars system.
>>
2. HERE Navigation for Android Automotive OS (AAOS)Android Automotive OS is an embedded operating system built directly into vehicle dashboards (common in brands like Volvo, Polestar, and Renault). For this platform, HERE offers HERE Navigation, a deeply integrated, white-label connected solution.Key Features: Offers native integration with your vehicle's systems (such as battery and range data for EVs). It supports immersive 3D landmarks, online/offline hybrid capabilities, and highly accurate EV charge-aware routing.How to Use: Because HERE Navigation for AAOS is designed to be fully integrated at the manufacturing level, it is either pre-installed by the automaker or downloadable via the in-car Google Play Store. You can find more information about their commercial and in-vehicle solutions on the HERE Navigation page.
<<
AI generated overviews can be misleading at times however we do find Here Maps developer libraries being talked about on Google search engine..
www.here.com
As I muttered on the board before, for predictive braking and battery regeneration, they need cartography of the road. If you consider that drivers may be split 50:50 by Google Maps and Apple Maps that's a headache to take that data and digitised road speeds to feed into the cars systems, just use one in built system. Here Maps subroutine cartography library and travel information. This I think is the basis, users can optionally run Google Maps, Apple maps as AAOS apps or not. Waze and Sygic AAOS apps are also available on some platforms so may be coming to Vag. Here Maps HereWeGo isn't available as an AAOS but if it's the default it's not required. That may well be the clue.
I'm feeling pretty sure that the Vag AAOS will use Here Maps cartography as Mib3/4 does now as the default, but as now you can switch to the cartography and environment as you please, Android Maps, Apple Maps Carplay, Waze and possibly Sygic. Whatever is in the PlayStore of the car or wifi / usb connection as of now.
Once I see the default maps I'll know for sure whether they have moved away from Here Maps as the default system you see on the in built unit when you press navigation (mib3/4 and mib2 high plus olders mib1/2 standard). But either way drivers who are more happy with other systems still have that option whether through the built in AAOS store or simply connection via their mobile.
The Polestar in Europe uses Google Maps, China it uses Here Maps as the native maps so it doesn't need to be integrated to Google Maps. Given the relationship of Here Maps to the European car industry the pointer is in that direction.
At this point people get confused about Android Auto and Android Automotive about what apps are available. AAOS the later. In the Polestar some apps vanished so they reverted to Android Auto as a stop gap. A moaning point on that forum. Ditto Spotify.
Very much the device list for the car
is the one you go for, for the cars head end or the Android Auto / Car Play for the mobile 
. I believe the AAOS apps will be around the brand. You will only see what is deemed to be relevant to the brand. Hopefully all the ones you want are included. But is it in the Playstore ?. Next section. Err...no.
So here we go to the nutshell - with GAS and without GAS it's in the wiki:
en.wikipedia.org
So what is GAS ?
//Google Automotive Services (GAS) is the suite of proprietary Google apps and services (like Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play) that run in the vehicle. Android Automotive OS (AAOS) is the underlying open-source operating system that powers the car's digital dashboard.//
NO GAS then it wont be using the inherent Google Maps natively. The wiki above categories these into the two groups. Cupra is non GAS also Harman in association is working with the "Play Store" aspects. As per this from the wiki
In March 2023, the Volkswagen Group announced that its future infotainment system, called One.Infotainment, will be based on Android Automotive (AOSP version) and include an app store developed in partnership with Harman International.
AOSP ?
source.android.com
This is the link to One.Infotainment development:
cariad.technology
Because VAG adopted non GAS you wont see the car on the Google Playstore as a device. Like the relationship of Fire TV and Android you don't see the other in their relative app stores since Amazon doesn't support Google services - similar situation - software branch. GAS cars you would see on the Google Playstore as a device. That's not to say you wont see your favourite app like Spotify etc in the cars store which will be currated by Vag.
To GAS or not to GAS that is the question covered here:
valtech-mobility.de
I suspose iPhone / Mac folk aren't to bothered about Google Playstore not being part of the cars eco system. Just give me something that works cry. If it's called an Apple car they would be more than happy.
So going round the houses it's pretty certain the default maps will be Here Maps in AAOS (or is it AOSP) but you will be able to pull up any mapping apps within the car's store and use external links to your mobile as of now if it is not in the proprietary VAG store (One.Infotainment - may be a working title of it). Leave the phone at home if all apps were in the AAOS VAG Store... failing that take the phone. Will the dealers old one, use your phone
.
We got there . I dont reckon @Syphon won't allow me to pin this, so I wont. Bit technical. Resource ?. Let's let the dust settle.
All exciting stuff and defines the next step in the infotainment unit for 2026 and beyond.... in post 2....
Post two Vags test equipment
. AAOP is the Android Automotive Open Source Project. Anyone familiar with Android TV and Fire TV will catch the drift. Both Android projects but one missing Google services or Android verses Windows WSA (Windows Android Subsystem) missing Google services. It's a branch where one is proprietary and the other not. VW has taken the non proprietary route... some will say can I still use Android Auto or Car Play, yes you can but the car will also come with access to it's own AAOS apps... the stage is set.A quick read of the Raval manual:
Manual Details | CUPRA
Describes online and off line map updates as we know for mib3/4 that use Here Maps cartography. So download is possible and it describes the zonal nature of the online updates which point to mib3/4 cartography.
If we do a Google
The AI overview and links for AAOS the cars system.
>>
2. HERE Navigation for Android Automotive OS (AAOS)Android Automotive OS is an embedded operating system built directly into vehicle dashboards (common in brands like Volvo, Polestar, and Renault). For this platform, HERE offers HERE Navigation, a deeply integrated, white-label connected solution.Key Features: Offers native integration with your vehicle's systems (such as battery and range data for EVs). It supports immersive 3D landmarks, online/offline hybrid capabilities, and highly accurate EV charge-aware routing.How to Use: Because HERE Navigation for AAOS is designed to be fully integrated at the manufacturing level, it is either pre-installed by the automaker or downloadable via the in-car Google Play Store. You can find more information about their commercial and in-vehicle solutions on the HERE Navigation page.
<<
AI generated overviews can be misleading at times however we do find Here Maps developer libraries being talked about on Google search engine..
HERE Navigation | Connected Navigation | Applications | HERE
World's first Software-as-a-Service for navigation and connected vehicles. Deliver an always up-to-date navigation experience to your customers. Learn more.
As I muttered on the board before, for predictive braking and battery regeneration, they need cartography of the road. If you consider that drivers may be split 50:50 by Google Maps and Apple Maps that's a headache to take that data and digitised road speeds to feed into the cars systems, just use one in built system. Here Maps subroutine cartography library and travel information. This I think is the basis, users can optionally run Google Maps, Apple maps as AAOS apps or not. Waze and Sygic AAOS apps are also available on some platforms so may be coming to Vag. Here Maps HereWeGo isn't available as an AAOS but if it's the default it's not required. That may well be the clue.
I'm feeling pretty sure that the Vag AAOS will use Here Maps cartography as Mib3/4 does now as the default, but as now you can switch to the cartography and environment as you please, Android Maps, Apple Maps Carplay, Waze and possibly Sygic. Whatever is in the PlayStore of the car or wifi / usb connection as of now.
Once I see the default maps I'll know for sure whether they have moved away from Here Maps as the default system you see on the in built unit when you press navigation (mib3/4 and mib2 high plus olders mib1/2 standard). But either way drivers who are more happy with other systems still have that option whether through the built in AAOS store or simply connection via their mobile.
The Polestar in Europe uses Google Maps, China it uses Here Maps as the native maps so it doesn't need to be integrated to Google Maps. Given the relationship of Here Maps to the European car industry the pointer is in that direction.
At this point people get confused about Android Auto and Android Automotive about what apps are available. AAOS the later. In the Polestar some apps vanished so they reverted to Android Auto as a stop gap. A moaning point on that forum. Ditto Spotify.
Very much the device list for the car
is the one you go for, for the cars head end or the Android Auto / Car Play for the mobile . I believe the AAOS apps will be around the brand. You will only see what is deemed to be relevant to the brand. Hopefully all the ones you want are included. But is it in the Playstore ?. Next section. Err...no.So here we go to the nutshell - with GAS and without GAS it's in the wiki:
Android Automotive - Wikipedia
So what is GAS ?
//Google Automotive Services (GAS) is the suite of proprietary Google apps and services (like Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play) that run in the vehicle. Android Automotive OS (AAOS) is the underlying open-source operating system that powers the car's digital dashboard.//
NO GAS then it wont be using the inherent Google Maps natively. The wiki above categories these into the two groups. Cupra is non GAS also Harman in association is working with the "Play Store" aspects. As per this from the wiki
In March 2023, the Volkswagen Group announced that its future infotainment system, called One.Infotainment, will be based on Android Automotive (AOSP version) and include an app store developed in partnership with Harman International.
AOSP ?
Android Open Source Project
Android unites the world! Use the open source Android operating system to power your device.
source.android.com
This is the link to One.Infotainment development:
How new infotainment will shape the future customer experience
Riclef Schmidt-Clausen is Head of Intelligent Cockpit & Body at CARIAD, working with his team on a new, unified infotainment stack for all Volkswagen Group brands. In this article, he explains how the next-generation system will create endless new car experiences for customers in future.
cariad.technology
Because VAG adopted non GAS you wont see the car on the Google Playstore as a device. Like the relationship of Fire TV and Android you don't see the other in their relative app stores since Amazon doesn't support Google services - similar situation - software branch. GAS cars you would see on the Google Playstore as a device. That's not to say you wont see your favourite app like Spotify etc in the cars store which will be currated by Vag.
To GAS or not to GAS that is the question covered here:
Android Automotive OS: GAS vs. NON-GAS - Valtech Mobility
Neben unserem Kerngeschäft ist uns als Valtech Mobility auch eine lebende Firmenkultur und die Umsetzung eigener Ideen wichtig. Eine Idee davon sind unsere Mobility Moves Challenges, die mittlerweile schon drei erfolgreiche Jahre stattfinden.
valtech-mobility.de
I suspose iPhone / Mac folk aren't to bothered about Google Playstore not being part of the cars eco system. Just give me something that works cry. If it's called an Apple car they would be more than happy.
So going round the houses it's pretty certain the default maps will be Here Maps in AAOS (or is it AOSP) but you will be able to pull up any mapping apps within the car's store and use external links to your mobile as of now if it is not in the proprietary VAG store (One.Infotainment - may be a working title of it). Leave the phone at home if all apps were in the AAOS VAG Store... failing that take the phone. Will the dealers old one, use your phone
.We got there
. I dont reckon @Syphon won't allow me to pin this, so I wont. Bit technical. Resource ?. Let's let the dust settle.All exciting stuff and defines the next step in the infotainment unit for 2026 and beyond.... in post 2....
Last edited:
