Today, a modern car often has several cameras: in the rear to help the driver park, in the front to avoid collisions, and sometimes even on the sides. And yet, despite all this equipment, few vehicles offer a true integrated dashcam function. To film a journey or keep proof in case of an incident, you often still have to buy an accessory to stick on the windshield.
An app that you can't download
This is where Google comes in. The web giant has just launched an open-source application designed for Android Automotive, its operating system integrated into cars—not to be confused with Android Auto, which simply mirrors the smartphone on the dashboard screen. Until now, Android Automotive didn't offer a video recording solution. Each manufacturer had to develop its own application if it wanted to add this feature. Not very practical, nor very engaging.
With this new application, Google hopes to simplify things. It allows you to use the cameras already present in the vehicle to automatically record what's happening around you. Manufacturers can adopt it as is, or adapt it to their own taste: change the interface, video retention time, image quality, storage management, etc.
Technically, the app relies on the classic Android Automotive APIs (EVS or Camera2) to access the cameras. It needs to be integrated directly into the car's system, because it requests system permissions that classic apps cannot have. Basically, it's not a standalone app. Download it yourself: it's the manufacturer who decides whether to install it or not.
Google recommends saving videos to an SD or microSD card to avoid damaging the vehicle's internal memory. Videos are stored by default in a specific folder, but this can all be configured. The goal for Google is to encourage manufacturers to offer this feature without having to develop everything themselves. And since the app is open source, anyone can draw inspiration from it.
Does this mean that all Android cars will soon turn into giant dashcams? Not necessarily. Legal and commercial questions remain unanswered. And car manufacturers still need to support Google's app.
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