Apple And Google Square Off In A Race To Create The Safest Automotive Infotainment System

Apple And Google Square Off In A Race To Create The Safest Automotive Infotainment System

According to recent studies conducted by AAA, Google and Apple are leading the industry in safety with car entertainment and information systems. This includes systems that control audio sources, making hands-free phone calls, connecting Bluetooth devices, and a multitude of other complex tasks. On average it was determined that systems created by Google and Apple were not only a minimum of 25% faster than leading factory installed systems, they were also found to be natively less distracting to drivers.

These factors are keys to reducing incidents in which distracted driving leads to potentially dangerous traffic incidents. “Google and Apple are proving that it is possible to reduce the level of demand in-vehicle infotainment technology places on drivers,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “While improvements are necessary before any of the systems can be considered safe to use while driving, this research shows that smart phone-based software has the potential to offer a simpler, more familiar design that is less confusing to drivers, and therefore less demanding.”

The data collected by AAA took into account to main factors. The first was the time it took to manage devices, specifically in regard to how long the driver's eyes were off the road. The second portion determined the mental strain imposed upon the driver when performing tasks with the devices. With both tests, Apple and Google's infotainment systems shone, though neither could seem to edge out the other in any significant margin. 

While there may be no clear winner to date, it may be time to upgrade that stock system. A quality shop such as [shop] in Houston, TX can handle the installation and could even give you a few pointers on its safe operation.

Written By: Todd Hendrickson
Source: AAA