The arrival of Android technology in cars has brought with it significant advances in connectivity, navigation, and now also safety. One of Google's most recent and striking developments is the app Dashcam, a video recording solution designed exclusively for vehicles that integrate the operating system Android Automotive OS (AAOS).
This app is sparking growing interest in the automotive and technology world, both for its potential as a safety tool and its close relationship with Google's car operating system. Below, we'll tell you all the details about what Dashcam is exactly, how it works, what operating requirements it needs, and whether or not it will be available for your vehicle or Android phone.
What is a Dashcam and what is it for?
Dashcam is an application developed by Google to serve as an integrated video recorder in vehicles that have Android Automotive OS. Its main objective is to allow the constant recording of the environment while driving, using the cameras already integrated into the car. This can be very useful as Evidence in case of accidents, incidents or unforeseen situations on the road.
It's important to clarify that this solution isn't designed for every car or every version of Android. Not compatible with Android Auto, the system that connects from your mobile phone to the car's infotainment system. For Dashcam to work, the vehicle must have Android Automotive OS natively.
Key differences between Android Auto and Android Automotive OS
The confusion between Android Auto and Android Automotive OS is common, and it has generated some misinformation in some media outlets. Let's be clear:
- Android Auto It's a platform that projects from an Android phone to the car's system via a USB cable or wireless connection. Its operation depends entirely on the phone.
- Android Automotive OS (AAOS) It's a complete operating system that runs directly on the car's unit (usually found in models from brands like Volvo, Polestar, or General Motors). It works independently of the phone.
The Dashcam app It can only be installed and used on vehicles that have Android Automotive OS. This restriction is due to the fact that for its operation it needs system-level access, something that cannot be granted from Android Auto due to security and system architecture issues.
Is the app available yet?
Currently, Dashcam is not yet available for direct download. by users. You can't find it on Google Play or install it like any other app. Instead, Google has provided car manufacturers with the source code of the app, so that they can integrate or customize it according to their needs.
This means that Its adoption will depend entirely on the car manufacturerThat is, even if the feature is ready, it will only be available if the vehicle manufacturer decides to integrate it into its AAOS-based operating system. Some models from Volvo, Polestar, and other brands are already exploring this possibility, which could be beneficial for many drivers.
A recording solution designed for security
Google's intention with Dashcam is clear: to offer a robust, production-ready and easily integrable solution that allows you to record what happens around the car at all times. To do this, the app takes advantage of EVS (Extended View System) or Camera2 cameras which are already available in many modern vehicles with Android Automotive OS.
These types of cameras are typically used for parking, driver assistance, or obstacle detection. However, Until now, very few manufacturers had dared to use them also as continuous recording tools., due to technical, legal or economic barriers.
With Dashcam, Google makes that process easier, offering an open source solution that Manufacturers can implement or modify according to their own criteriaThis could open the door to much more widespread adoption, as many previous barriers related to cost and technical integration are removed. In this sense, it is important to know the best apps for driving, which can also complement vehicle safety.
Dashcam Main Features
The Dashcam app, as described in Google's official developer documentation, has a large number of features designed to meet various needs in the vehicle environment:
- Automatic recording: The app can be activated automatically at the start of the vehicle or through event-defined triggers (such as braking, collisions, etc.).
- Quality and recording space settings: You can define parameters such as video quality, maximum storage space, and retention time for videos.
- On-screen notifications: Notifications can be displayed when a recording starts or stops.
- Control from other apps with permission: Any app with the appropriate permissions can use the API to start or stop recordings.
Also, Dashcam allows you to configure recordings with preroll, that is, storing a few seconds of video before a significant event occurs (such as a collision). It also allows for recordings triggered by vehicle sensors, such as those that detect sudden braking, high speed, or emergency assistance (AEB).
What requirements does Dashcam need to work?
To be properly integrated, the Dashcam app requires:
- Android Automotive OS with SDK 31 or higher
- Availability of functional EVS or Camera2 cameras in the vehicle
- Sufficient internal or removable external storage capacity
- System permissions granted to access the camera and other critical resources
Additionally, it must be installed as a system app, signed with the platform certificate and with the appropriate permissions pre-compiled. Therefore, It is not possible to download it as a regular app from Google Play.
What about Android phones? Will there be an option?
In parallel to the development of Dashcam for Android Automotive, Google is also exploring a similar functionality on their Pixel phones. Through the application Personal Safety (Emergencies), it has been discovered that Google plans to allow Android phones function as improvised dashcams.
According to analysis of internal versions of this app, it will allow recording video in the background while driving, storing up to 24 recording hours with the option to configure automatic deletion to free up space. Audio would also be stored if necessary.
Of course, this functionality It is not related to the Android Automotive Dashcam app., but would be a more accessible solution for drivers who use Android Auto instead of the built-in system. The two options are not expected to be available simultaneously or integrated.
Google's vision: personalized and open security
Dashcam is an excellent example of how Google wants to take its Android ecosystem beyond mobile, offering complete solutions also for the automotive environment. Instead of traditional dependence on specialized and expensive hardware, the company is now focusing on integrable software solutions that take advantage of the hardware already present in the car.
Also, by making Dashcam a open source and customizable, allows manufacturers to:
- Integrate only the features that are useful to you
- Modify the interface to adapt to the brand's user experience
- Include custom graphic overlays
- Add your own triggers based on the car's sensors
All of this contributes to a much more integrated, consistent, and useful in-vehicle experience, without the need to resort to external or third-party solutions that don't always meet industry safety standards.
Dashcam represents a further step towards the complete integration of the vehicle as part of the user's digital ecosystem., combining technology, connectivity and security into a single product that could become standard in the coming years.
Google's Dashcam isn't just another app: it's a key safety tool for the future of connected cars. It requires no additional devices, is designed to be invisible to the user once set up, and offers critical functionality in everyday driving scenarios.
Although its availability will depend on the manufacturer, its development clearly indicates Google's intention to improve the driving experience from within the operating system itself. Share the guide and help other users learn about this topic..
