After some teasing, ACO Tech has finally revealed what it has been working on all this while. This is ATLAS (an acronym for ACO Tech Local Automotive Services), an infotainment operating system (OS) that will be made available to interested OEMs.
Wholly led and developed by a Malaysian team and backed by an investment of RM30 million, ATLAS offers an enhanced user experience with new features and is supported by a complimentary mobile app called ATLAS Auto, which we’ll get to shortly.
Unlike the current GKUI software used by some Proton models that is built on Android 8 (Oreo), ATLAS is entirely new and makes the shift to Android 9 (Pie), although you still won’t have access to Google-related services like the Play Store. Instead, apps, other content and data packages can be obtained via the proprietary A-Store within the OS.
The user interface is a somewhat familiar one, with the homepage closely resembling the current GKUI software in the latest Iriz and Persona. In terms of layout, the map is displayed on the left side of the screen, while customisable widgets for things like the weather, media playback and quick access to the apps are on the right. As before, there’s also an app drawer so you can see everything installed and for you to access vehicle settings, and you can still personalise the OS’ look using themes.
Voice commands are an integral part of the GKUI experience that ACO Tech had a hand in developing, and this has been further improved in ATLAS. You can choose from male (Atlas) and female (Aethra) voices, while the voice command name and user’s name can also be customised. Under the hood changes also help the system better able to understand Malaysians and localised English better, which is something we’d really love to try out.
The system is also able to notify the driver of any extreme weather in advance and tyre punctures, the latter dependent on the specification of the car. Meanwhile, on the entertainment front, Astro’s Syok platform (digital radio, podcasts, etc.) joins the existing Joox online music streaming service, but there’s still no mention of Spotify, or Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for that matter.
On the navigation front, ATLAS’ Map app features real-time traffic information, points of interest, and is tied to the system’s weather app to alert the driver of the weather at the destination and even changing conditions along the route. If there’s no active internet or GPS connection, drivers will still be able to navigate using offline map data. Another useful feature is if the system detects the car is low on fuel, it can suggest the nearest petrol station for the driver to navigate to.
In Q2 2022, a calendar feature will be added to the system, allowing users to sync their calender and meeting reminders from their mobile device. ACO Tech says the system will use the information and provide users with a suggested departure time to make sure they arrive on time.
In-car payments, dubbed ATLAS Pay, will also be added to the in-car OS by the first half of next year, allowing users to make payments and transactions securely without leaving their cars. This is a first in the local automotive industry and will be powered by Fasspay.
ATLAS Pay will also be included in the aforementioned ATLAS Auto app, which will arrive sooner in Q4 2021. Available for download from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery on mobile devices, the app allows users to integrate several e-wallet platforms into a single one. Additionally, users can browse and purchase services via an online mall and discover news and other information.
More importantly, the app also handles telematics functions, allowing users to control vehicle functions remotely or to check up on the status of their cars. You can even sync the app to your wearable devices from Q1 2022 to stay connected to your vehicle and send friend invitations to be picked up.
“The ATLAS is intelligent, proactive and humanised. The ecosystem is not only integral in transforming people’s relationship with their car, in-vehicle or remotely, we believe that it underpins the future of automotive user experience and paves the way for autonomous vehicle in Malaysia,” said Li Pu, CEO of ACO Tech.
ACO Tech told paultan.org that ATLAS was developed to be somewhat like Android Automotive OS, in that vehicle systems, infotainment and connected services are merged into one OS. Certain features mentioned here will eventually be available on Proton cars, but other manufacturers can also adopt the OS if they want to. The company says the OS has already attracted a few interested parties, including in Malaysia as well as in Indonesia and Thailand. What are your thoughts on ATLAS? Share them in the comments below.
GALLERY: ATLAS infotainment OS
GALLERY: ATLAS Auto app
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It’s going to be a sorry case if this won’t be rolled out for the X50/70 especially when their slideshow and demo is running on a X70.
Sure not Chinese product? Be frank on this. X70 is kereta mana? U tau i tau
Nice tech expect to go into future Proton models. Perodua still sleeping zzZZzz.
p/s P1: i need Apple Carplay
Perodua’s entertainment system is the worst I’ve ever used. The touch screen in the new Myvi still resembles the touch screen from their previous gen 2011 Myvi. Not to mention their sound system as well. Users need to throw extra cash for new speakers and stuff.
Its an affordable car, gotta expect corners to be cut somewhere.
X50 is also an affordable SUV but u see even writers wallop Proton for not shoving all the features into base spec version. Admit it lah Perodua sux! Looks good from far but actual far from good.
ACO Atlas will be a heavyweight much like its namesake Atlas assault mech.
Thanks, but no thanks. I prefer Apple Carplay / Android auto only. That would be more than enough. I dont need all the advance features mentioned. At the end of the day we only use the infotainment system for navigation and music. That would be sufficient for majority of the people.
Like smartphone features, you don’t know what your missing until you used it
This is a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Users won’t have to worry about either having an Android or Apple to make full use of the infotainment system. You won’t get to integrate your phone to it, but if you don’t have a compatible phone OS it would be a useless feature anyway.
I personally know the chinese CEO of ACO Tech. Genius dude with gamechanging ideas. Mantap terbaekk
You mean the guy his father is owner of Geely?
Does it comes with Xi Thought app?
Glory, honour, friendship and win-win mutual corporation.
no android auto? whats the point of it then
Is it necessary? I think it is a waste of money if people need to pay extra price for this software to be installed in new Proton. It is not value added. Most people already have these features in their phones.
Just give us Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, we don’t need another App Store or payment gateway
There was another Atlas Os that base on Windows. Confuse..