Apple CarPlay Ultra Showcases New Approach in Automotive Software Integration

Many automakers still struggle with dashboard software and user interfaces for the car, leading drivers to mostly ignore the features that were painstakingly implemented at enormous cost. This also encourages the use of CarPlay or Android Auto display and controller solutions. Apple designed CarPlay Ultra to offer a deeper level of software integration with the car’s systems, with a unique look and feel for each automaker. The first CarPlay Ultra integration is now available from luxury brand Aston Martin.
  This new level of automotive software integration was first unveiled by Apple in 2022, and was largely perceived as an evolution of the standard CarPlay display mirroring integration that is currently available in hundreds of car models and most aftermarket systems. The new version would create a deeper integration with the car head units (beyond the infotainment system) and would be offered as an alternative to the costly software developments from automakers.

Google immediately responded with an accelerated schedule for its Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS), currently offered as “an open-source” alternative that gives Google full control of the vehicle and restricts automakers’ options to Android, with all the privacy implications. With the announcement of CarPlay Ultra, Apple seems to respond to the concerns of automakers who understand that most drivers don’t want “Google-connected” cars. The newly unveiled solution gives automakers more control about what features to implement and how they show in the car dashboard - including multiple displays - while still allowing an even more seamless integration with drivers’ and passengers’ personal devices.

More than 10 car manufacturers, representing nearly 20 brands, have originally committed to implementing CarPlay Ultra, including Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, and Porsche. More recent committed brands announced by Apple include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Given the need to collaborate directly with these diverse automakers with different ambitions and levels of implementation, the rollout is proving slower than expected. To showcase an example of a representative approach of deeper collaboration with an automaker, Apple unveiled CarPlay Ultra with luxury brand Aston Martin.
 
Aston Martin introduced its own infotainment system in 2023, which debuted on the Aston Martin DB12 model. The first of Aston Martin’s in-house development has allowed the brand to work directly with Apple to flawlessly integrate CarPlay Ultra. The new system provides full online connectivity and is displayed using Pure Black touchscreen technology with full capacitive single and multi-finger gesture control. Understanding the need for balance between touchscreen commands and the positive tactility of physical switches, buttons are retained for the key mechanical operations of gear selection, drive selection, heating and ventilation. There are also override switches for Chassis, ESP and Exhaust, Lane Assist and Park Distance Control, ensuring the most used controls are always conveniently to hand.

The solution showcases how Apple provides configurable interfaces with vehicle controls and instruments, apart from controlling air conditioning, media, or driver assistance systems. More importantly, it offers different configurable options for multiple displays, providing enhanced media controls and navigation with dedicated physical buttons, Siri assistant, and touchscreens. At the same time, the user gains personalization and direct mirror of its own iPhone in completely new ways, largely expanding what was possible with CarPlay.

The example provided of CarPlay Ultra in the new Aston Martin includes real-time content and gauges in the instrument cluster, while reflecting the automaker’s own look and feel. With real-time information across both the infotainment touch screen and the instrument cluster, an Aston Martin driver will get a sense of the brand’s high-performance DNA, largely enhanced in terms of visualization of the car experience and unique features.
  “Aston Martin is delighted to have collaborated with Apple and to be first to launch CarPlay Ultra,” said Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin’s CEO. “As a brand, our focus on world-leading performance goes beyond the traditional attributes associated with powertrains, dynamic performance, and craftsmanship. The integration of CarPlay Ultra is a clear example of the dedication to collaborate with the best companies in the world to bring unique experiences and in-vehicle capabilities to our customers. Building on our in-house state-of-the-art infotainment system, CarPlay Ultra will provide additional functionality and personalization opportunities, which place Aston Martin at the forefront of infotainment in the sector.”

CarPlay Ultra will now be available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the United States and Canada, and some existing models will be able to receive a software update. Aston Martin also confirmed that CarPlay Ultra will expand to include vehicles globally in 12 months from the original announcement.

Apple also announced that CarPlay Ultra will expand and not replace CarPlay, just providing a more integrated and safer way to use an iPhone in the car, with the same rigorous privacy measures. CarPlay Ultra works with iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later.
  Third-Party Integration
With Apple’s CarPlay Ultra announcement, also a number of third-party software and integration specialist companies will be unveiling their strategies to support the industry. Cinemo, the German company specializing in automotive-grade multimedia playback, streaming, and connectivity, announced full integration of CarPlay Ultra via Cinemo’s CORE Projection — available on any automotive SoC and OS, including Android, Linux, and QNX.

Cinemo’s CarPlay Ultra implementation with CORE Projection supports the full suite of CarPlay Ultra features — all the driver’s screens, including cluster display, center displays, and HUDs — and enhances the system with multi-screen coordination, HVAC integration, FM/AM radio support, in-vehicle settings, and advanced Siri voice control. More importantly, it enables automotive OEMs to integrate CarPlay Ultra in the shortest time.

“CarPlay Ultra will soon become the standard for new cars,” says Richard Lesser, CEO of Cinemo. “We are so proud to accelerate the industry in this transition.” Cinemo is already supporting some of the automakers who have committed to supporting CarPlay Ultra.
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