Apple Looking to Expand CarPlay With New Integrations for AC, Seats, Instrument Cluster, and More

[MacRumors]

Apple is looking to expand CarPlay's functionality to include controls for core car functions such as the air conditioning system, radio, speedometer, seats, and more, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The project, internally codenamed "IronHeart," is still in its early stages but would include Apple working with carmakers to expand CarPlay's functionality to control core car functions. Beyond apps for music and navigation, CarPlay doesn't let users control any aspect of the car itself. This new iPhone-based project would be looking to change that.

The company is working on technology that would access functions like the climate-control system, speedometer, radio and seats, according to people with knowledge of the effort. The initiative, known as "IronHeart" internally, is still in its early stages and would require the cooperation of automakers.

IronHeart would take CarPlay a step further. The iPhone-based system could access a range of controls, sensors and settings, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the project is secret.

The report lists several different car functions that CarPlay could display in the future, including inside and outside temperature and humidity readings, seats and armrests, instrument cluster, and controls for the cars built-in speakers.

Bloomberg says Apple's CarPlay strategy is similar to that of its Home and Health offerings, where the company has consolidated users' information into single apps on their iPhone. With "IronHeart," CarPlay would be a more comprehensive system for users to control their vehicle without having to switch between CarPlay and the car's control system.

Ultimately, while Apple is rumored to be building its own car, CarPlay and any of its plans would require the cooperation of carmakers. As today's report notes, Apple has struggled to convince some carmakers to adopt certain features of CarPlay into their vehicles.

IronHeart would represent Apple's strongest push into cars since CarPlay was released in 2014, but it may not be a hit with automakers. They could be reluctant to hand over control of key features to Apple. While CarPlay is now in more than 600 car models, other Apple initiatives launched in recent years have been slower to catch on with automakers.

But automakers have mostly balked at adding these enhancements. The climate control and radio apps are only supported by a few cars. And the EV routing feature isn't available on any vehicles that are currently shipping. The CarPlay display expansion is only supported by a few brands, such as BMW and Volkswagen, and CarKey is just on some BMWs.

Apple recently tapped Kevin Lynch, who was previously an important part of developing watchOS, to lead the Apple Car team, but following several departures, doubts are starting to arise about whether Apple will ever release its own vehicle.

Article Link: Apple Looking to Expand CarPlay With New Integrations for AC, Seats, Instrument Cluster, and More

 

[ProfessionalFan]

The actual Apple Car project?

 

[dantracht]

That's all well and good, I just wish it was wireless in my Tucson.

 

[deviant]

That's all well and good, I just wish it was wireless in my Tucson.

You think you do, and I thought so, too.. but it’s eating the battery like c-r-a-z-y. For very short trips it’s ok. For long trips i always plug it in.

 

[Kylo83]

For a start just have the caller ui not take up the whole screen and ruin the sat nav

 

[diamond.g]

Direct, like talking over canbus access or through an API metered(firewalled) via the gateway access?

 

[Damian83]

Whats the point of having functions i already have on the on-board infotainment? A cool idea will be a carplay connected to obd for real-time HP, Nm, g-meter etc.

 

[deviant]

Whats the point of having functions i already have on the on-board infotainment? A cool idea will be a carplay connected to obd for real-time HP, Nm, g-meter etc.

Obviously to have everything in one place, especially now that many cars have 2 screens instead of one central sceeen

 

[diamond.g]

Whats the point of having functions i already have on the on-board infotainment? A cool idea will be a carplay connected to obd for real-time HP, Nm, g-meter etc.

That would be cool, though I could see issues with the various PIDs across different makes and models.

 

[haruhiko]

But will the manufacturers give up the control to Apple’s CarPlay? I don’t think so.

 

[EmotionalSnow]

That's all well and good, I just wish it was wireless in my Tucson.

Kind of unbelievable that Apple, the company that likes wireless so much didn't make CarPlay wireless-only from the start.

 

[4jasontv]

I’m surprised the EU hasn’t required that all cars support CarPlay and Android auto. The auto manufacture has a monopoly with the onboard infotainment system.

 

[ghostface147]

No thanks. CarPlay isn’t the most reliable thing. My car is wireless and doesn’t connect immediately in most cases.

 

[Damian83]

Obviously to have everything in one place, especially now that many cars have 2 screens instead of one central sceeen

everything is already where it should be from almost a century. Touch control (tesla style) or even worse, navigating menus for doing simple stuff like rotating the AC knob? No thanks! I prefer the old school way while i drive (fast)

 

[Macropanda]

Horrible idea.
Apple software gets more buggy and unreliable each year. They should concentrate on fixing what they already have before branching out to cars.

 

[genovelle]

Kind of unbelievable that Apple, the company that likes wireless so much didn't make CarPlay wireless-only from the start.

They could, but Bluetooth killed battery life so you had to be plugged in anyway. They were the first to release it and the car companies refused to implement it for years, until Google could catch-up.

 

[scottct1]

I hope they fix all the bugs Carplay has gotten with iOS 15.

I took my car to the dealer as Carplay is always disconnecting & apps not working, tried a new cable rebooted the phone etc... went to dealer and they said they are getting lots of people with the same complaints since iOS 15 came out.

 

[Madmic23]

I just want to see the outside temperature from my car on the CarPlay screen. Bonus points if they can launch my cars Camera app. 🙂

 

[bsbeamer]

Start with fixing the connection issues with CarPlay. Let users launch a "CarPlay Mode" directly on their iPhones without need for a head unit.

 

[bowens]

They could, but Bluetooth killed battery life so you had to be plugged in anyway. They were the first to release it and the car companies refused to implement it for years, until Google could catch-up.

I think for wireless CarPlay, you'd need a wireless charger in the car too.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

There aren't enough Bryan Danielson's on the internet to YES! this story.

 

[haruhiko]

Hey Siri please lower the temperature.
Siri: I’ve found the following about lover in the temple on the web. Do you want me to read them out?

 

[MozMan68]

They could, but Bluetooth killed battery life so you had to be plugged in anyway. They were the first to release it and the car companies refused to implement it for years, until Google could catch-up.

No they could not...CarPlay is software, not hardware. They have to go down the route of what is more universal, and that's working with dozens of car makers across hunders of models/configurations. Having a universal USB-A plug s still the easiest (cheapest) way to integrate both iOS and Android into their car (hardware).

 

[Itinj24]

Just don’t try playing music while the AC is going. Will likely crash the whole system.

 

[BuffaloTF]

All cool with how massive these screens are becoming and to avoid having to leave the CarPlay screen to get at them. But right now I’d just settle for the damn radio control feature they have listed.