Now, even Android developers can get involved in car design. Well, sort of.
Polestar, the electric performance car brand jointly owned by Volvo Car Group and Zhejiang Geely Holding, has presented a new platform that encourages Android developers to create innovative in-car digital experiences. Appearing at the Google I/O developer conference in California one week after making its North American debut in San Francisco, the Polestar 2 is one of the first cars in the world to feature a new infotainment system powered by Android that offers huge potential for developers.
At developer.polestar.com, Polestar invites Android developers to imagine their own concepts, with the goal of unlocking opportunities that improve in-car infotainment for the entire automotive industry. Polestar will also present and showcase its own inspirational ideas, on the new website.
Said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO, “The Android platform which we have introduced in Polestar 2 has so much potential for innovation that we immediately identified the chance to engage with the developer community.
“Together with Google, our own digital team has created an exciting interface in the car, and we know that this system will enable great opportunities. We look forward to inspiring new ideas that could make the digital experience in Polestar 2 even better.”
Polestar launched in 2017 with the Polestar 1 – a low-volume Electric Performance Hybrid GT with 600hp, 1,000Nm, and an electric-only range of 150 km – the longest of any hybrid car in the world. In 2019, the Polestar 2 was revealed as the company’s first full electric, higher volume premium car designed to compete around the Tesla Model 3. In the future, Polestar 3 will join the portfolio as a fully electric performance SUV.
Polestar also applies its technology and expertise to electrified Volvo cars. The new Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered models feature key Polestar components to create a sharper and more engaging driving experience. Polestar optimization software upgrades are also available for Volvo models, which enhance six performance areas including engine output.
