What is a vehicle infotainment system

Modern vehicles are incomplete without an infotainment system, an automotive computer system with various multimedia features and functions. Infotainment is derived by combining the words “entertainment” and “information,” and these systems deliver both. They’re comprised of an embedded computer system for multimedia, developed to enhance and enrich the overall driving experience.

Typically, infotainment systems include touchscreens, voice control, and connectivity options while providing convenience and safety features. For example, they often combine several applications, including audio playback, rearview camera, GPS navigation, digital radios, smartphone integration, and more — all on a single platform easily accessible to the driver and passengers.

In this article, we’ll discuss the components that make up this embedded in-vehicle computer system and investigate how it works. We’ll also cover some of the more popular infotainment operating systems.

What is an infotainment system?

The automotive industry is experiencing rapid innovation, with electric vehicles leading the charge. At the same time, automakers are competing to offer the best in-car experience, and infotainment systems play a critical role in this transformation. These embedded systems have become the focal point of modern premium cars.

Infotainment systems combine “information” and “entertainment,” providing services that enhance the driving experience, improve safety, and offer entertainment. The latest systems control several functions, from digital radios and reversing cameras to vehicle settings. They are the central hub for connecting all innovative automotive technologies, giving drivers access to multimedia, mobile apps, and various vehicle functions from a single interface.

Infotainment system features

In-vehicle infotainment systems are typically mounted on or integrated into the car’s dashboard, serving as an essential companion for drivers and passengers. These systems connect with internal and external vehicle systems, sharing critical driving information and control with the driver.

The infotainment interface can be operated through touchscreens, button panels, voice commands, or steering wheel controls, offering a range of features.

Modern infotainment systems typically offer:

Audio/video playback: Provide access to audio and video content from multiple sources, including AM/FM radios, USB drives, Bluetooth, and streaming services. These systems can scan and tune radio stations automatically or manually. Audio and video content can also be streamed via Bluetooth, enabling hands-free calling and visibility of call logs.

Smartphone pairing: Allow mobile apps on the car’s display through platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These platforms connect smartphones to the infotainment system, enabling access to apps such as maps, music, messaging, and calls directly on the car’s display. This ensures safer and more convenient access to essential smartphone features while driving.

Navigation: With built-in navigation, modern infotainment systems provide real-time satellite maps, GPS coordinates, traffic updates, and turn-by-turn directions, ensuring a smooth and efficient driving experience.

Hands-free calling and texting: With Bluetooth integration, drivers can make and receive calls and send or receive text messages while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Climate control: Let drivers easily adjust the vehicle’s temperature, fan speed, and airflow direction for personalized comfort.

Digital instrument cluster: This display often replaces analog gauges, offering a digital view of essential information like speed, fuel levels, RPM, odometer readings, tire pressure, and fuel economy.

Vehicle settings and controls: Allow drivers to manage various vehicle functions, from headlight settings and door locks to parking assistance and climate control, all from the infotainment interface.

Rear-view camera and parking assistance: When reversing, the system displays real-time video from the rear-view camera and aids with parking by detecting obstacles to ensure safe maneuvering. The system also offers control over daytime running lights (DRL) for safer driving in low-light conditions.

Sensor integration: Integrated with in-vehicle sensors such as proximity, camera, and gesture recognition sensors to enhance vehicle safety and assist in safe driving.

Hardware overview

The infotainment system functions as an in-vehicle computer, seamlessly integrating various hardware components to deliver information and entertainment to drivers and passengers. These systems are designed with limited resources and must operate under real-time constraints.

Below are the critical components of an infotainment system:

Processors: At the core of the infotainment system are high-end automotive processors, which act as the system’s brain. These processors manage information processing, control system functions, and interact with other components. Popular processors include ARM Cortex-A processors or SoCs like Qualcomm Snapdragon Automotive. Additional GPUs handle graphics-heavy tasks like displaying maps and user interfaces, while DSPs like Texas Instruments’ TMS320C6x series manage audio processing and noise cancellation.
Head display: Typically mounted on the car’s dashboard, the head unit features a touchscreen display as the primary interface, allowing drivers and passengers to control infotainment apps and vehicle functions.
Head-up display (HUD): High-end infotainment systems may include a transparent HUD on the windshield. This display projects important information such as navigation, digital clusters, and climate control, reducing driver distraction and enhancing safety.
User interface: Beyond the touchscreen display, the system includes a range of control options, such as button panels, knobs, steering wheel controls, and voice assistants, allowing intuitive operation of the system.
Audio systems: The system integrates amplifiers, speakers, and the head unit to deliver high-quality audio content.
Connectivity modules: Equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS modules, the infotainment system facilitates connectivity with external devices, enabling smartphone pairing, navigation, and internet access.
USB and HDMI ports: These interfaces allow the connection of external devices, such as flash drives and smartphones, to the infotainment system for added functionality.
Camera system: The integration of modern infotainment systems with rear-view, side, and front cameras significantly enhances parking assistance and safety features. These systems, with their dedicated ports for camera module integration, ensure a seamless view for the driver, thereby improving safety on the road.
CAN, LVDS, and automotive protocols: Infotainment systems are equipped with in-built support for CAN (Controller Area Network), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), and other automotive communication protocols. These protocols enable smooth connectivity between the infotainment system and other in-vehicle systems.
Digital instrument cluster: The system’s display connects with the digital instrument cluster, which retrieves critical vehicle data from the ECU via the OBD-II port. Together with the head unit and head-up display, the digital cluster forms a part of the vehicle’s digital cockpit, centralizing vital driving information for the driver.
Vehicle sensors: The integration of various in-vehicle sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, and proximity sensors, with the infotainment system is crucial. These sensors enable essential functions and provide safety-related data to the driver, enhancing the overall safety of the vehicle.

By integrating these advanced hardware components, infotainment systems provide a cohesive and feature-rich driving experience, ensuring convenience and safety for users.

Software overview

The software architecture of an infotainment system is highly complex, running on an operating system that manages hardware, interfaces, applications, and user interaction. These operating systems — such as Android Automotive OS, QNX, and Yocto — are similar to mobile operating systems but more sophisticated due to their integration with automotive components.

The system relies on bootloaders and drivers to connect low-level hardware to the operating system. On top of this, a user interface, which typically includes graphical and voice-based controls, runs along with middleware applications. These applications are responsible for platform management, media, connectivity, and system infrastructure.

Infotainment systems run several software applications on top of their operating systems. These include:

Navigation apps – such as Google Maps, TomTom, or Waze
Music streaming services
Connectivity apps for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Multimedia players for audio and video content
Telematics software – for managing vehicle data, remote diagnostics, and connected car features
Security software, ensuring data privacy and cybersecurity
Various entertainment or vehicle information apps

Popular infotainment operating systems

Android Automotive OS is a specialized version of the Android operating system tailored for vehicle use, developed by Google. It’s used by several automakers, including Renault, Volvo, and Polestar, and offers a broad range of applications, features, and seamless app compatibility for an enhanced in-vehicle experience.

QNX a real-time operating system by Blackberry, is known for its reliability and robustness, making it a top choice across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and healthcare. Widely adopted in the automotive sector, it powers infotainment systems in vehicles from manufacturers like BMW, Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, and Toyota.

Yocto is an open-source embedded Linux distribution known for its high level of customization. This flexibility allows developers to tailor the operating system to meet specific requirements, making it a popular choice for automotive infotainment systems. Major automakers such as Tesla, Hyundai, the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and various Tier-1 suppliers leverage Yocto for their in-vehicle systems due to its ability to provide fine control over system features.

In addition to Android Automotive OS, Yocto, and QNX, many manufacturers rely on their proprietary operating systems for infotainment. Examples include Ford’s SYNC, Toyota’s Entune, and Honda’s HondaLink, each customized to suit the unique needs of their respective vehicles and brands.