Amazon announced its automotive SDK is available. It’s still early for the Alexa Auto team, but the team has seen great progress in the last 12 months. Major automakers like BMW, Ford, SEAT and Toyota are already working to integrate Alexa directly into their vehicles, while developers like Anker and Garmin have built aftermarket devices that bring Alexa into additional models. The new SDK will make it easier for more automakers and suppliers to do the same.
The Alexa Auto SDK brings the Alexa experience into the vehicle. It adds automotive-specific functionality and contextualizes the experience for the vehicle. It includes source code and function libraries in C++ and Java that enable your vehicle to process audio inputs and triggers, establish a connection with the Alexa service, and handle all Alexa interactions. The SDK also includes sample applications, build scripts, sequence diagrams and documentation, supporting both Android and QNX operating systems on ARM and x86 processor architectures.
Amazon released the Alexa Auto SDK via GitHub, giving developers a simple, accessible way to integrate Alexa into in-vehicle infotainment systems.
The SDK includes all of the core Alexa functions — streaming media, smart home controls, weather reports, and tens of thousands of custom skills – while contextualizing the experience for the vehicle and adding new, auto-specific features like calling and navigation.
The Alexa Auto SDK includes core Alexa functionality, such as speech recognition and synthesis, and other capabilities such as streaming media, controlling smart home devices, notifications, weather reports, and tens-of-thousands of custom skills. Additionally, the SDK provides the hooks required to connect to a wake word engine, local media player, local phone, and local navigation system.
Calling
- Enable your customers to specify a contact name or phone number and Alexa will instruct the native calling service in the vehicle to place the call.
Media Streaming - Enable your customers to stream audio from popular media services, such as Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeartRadio, and display album art and other info to the head unit.
Navigation - Enable your customers to set the destination of the native turn-by-turn navigation system by specifying an address or point-of-interest.
Local Search - Enable your customers to search for restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores, hotels, and other business, and navigate to the location.
Why Alexa?
Alexa is always getting smarter with new features and capabilities added in the cloud. When you connect your vehicle to Alexa, you give customers access to a wealth of information, including news and sports updates, to-do lists, and smart home control. All they have to do is ask.