Drivemode is an Android app, that turns your smartphone into a one-touch, in-car infotainment screen. By simply attaching your smartphone onto a holder on your dash and opening the app, users can control their music, make and answer calls, listen to text messages – all with a swipe or tap. Now, the app has gotten the attention of Japanese automaker, Honda, according to Engadget.
Honda and Drivemode are teaming up to come up with a concept vehicle, which ditches the headunit for the smartphone. Unlike the standalone app, the head unit (or phone) is integrated with the car’s controls and buttons on the steering wheel. To elaborate, the buttons normally used to control the radio, can be used to control the app, as can be seen in the video.
Other integrated features include the capability to support a reverse camera and blindspot cameras – which will project the feed onto the phone. Unfortunately, Honda and Drivemode says that it’s still a concept and could take years it before it is ever available. However, it is part of a bigger picture to offer automakers a software replacement for conventional in-car systems.
Drivemode on the other hand, is looking at advancing the app and making it safer too. Co-founder, HK Ueda notes that the app will have the ability to support aftermarket Bluetooth reverse and blindspot cameras in the future. This will allow for drivers to add said items onto their vehicles, which were not offered with such assistance systems in the first place.
Moreover, what this means is that Drivemode has found a window to penetrate into entry-level vehicles that do not have features such as Android Auto or Apple CarPlay – often times reserved for medium to higher-end cars. It’s not available for iOS yet, but the startup is seeking additional funding to develop the app for iOS.
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