Hyundai to Launch First Branded Android Auto App
Hyundai is developing its MyHyundai app for Android Auto, aiming to offer exclusive connected services directly through the car’s infotainment system by year-end.
Hyundai is moving to become the first carmaker to offer a branded Android Auto application, with plans to launch the MyHyundai app before the end of 2016. The announcement was made at Google’s I/O developer conference, highlighting Hyundai’s intention to expand connected car services beyond standard smartphone mirroring.
The MyHyundai app is designed to work natively with Android Auto, providing a direct link between the owner’s smartphone and the car’s infotainment system. Unlike generic Android Auto apps, Hyundai’s branded application will offer features tailored for its vehicles, including roadside assistance requests, monthly vehicle health reports, valet mode, and access to Hyundai service functions.
By developing a single app optimised for Android Auto, Hyundai intends to avoid the complexity of maintaining separate software for each model or platform. The carmaker’s approach means owners will not need to download multiple apps or use a proprietary app store. Instead, the MyHyundai app will integrate directly into the Android Auto interface, making services accessible as part of the in-car experience.
What the MyHyundai app will offer
- Call Hyundai roadside assistance from the car’s display
- Receive monthly vehicle health and usage reports
- Activate valet mode to limit vehicle functions
- Book or manage Hyundai service appointments
At the Google I/O event, Hyundai presented the MyHyundai app as a prototype, with development ongoing. The company said it expects to release the app to customers by the end of 2016. This move follows Hyundai’s earlier adoption of Android Auto in the 2015 Sonata, making it one of the first manufacturers to support the platform in production vehicles.
Google also announced that Android Auto would soon be available directly on smartphones, removing the requirement for a compatible car display. This change could broaden the reach of services like MyHyundai, though Hyundai’s implementation is focused on in-car integration. For comparison, other manufacturers have launched their own branded apps for smartphone platforms, such as the BMW Remote app for Android.
