There’s no denying your car’s dashboard is pretty dumb, which is why Microsoft, Apple and Google are all trying to smarten it up. But there’s also a new open-source alternative, in the shape of Automotive Grade Linux.
AGL is a Linux distribution tailored for cars, and it’s a collaborative project between the Linux Foundation and a wide-ranging list of companies in the automotive industry, including Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota and Nissan. The first release, now available for free online, is based on Tizen IVI — which is famously used in some phones, but also appears in TVs and some cars already.
So, what does it offer? A bunch of things! Here’s a list from AGL:
- Home Screen
- Dashboard
- Google Maps
- HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
- Media Playback
- News Reader (AppCarousel)
- Audio Controls
- Bluetooth Phone
- Smart Device Link Integration
Which kinda covers most bases. From the screenshots above, you can see the kind of things they’re gunning for. Yes, it certainly looks like a Linux version of a car dash — but for many people that might not be a bad thing. It will be interesting to see how it gets used. [Automotive Grade Linux via Var Guy]