Google Teams Up with Cisco, Microsoft, and Zoom to Bring Conferencing to Vehicles via Android Auto

Google Teams Up with Cisco, Microsoft, and Zoom to Bring Conferencing to Vehicles via Android Auto

Google recently made an exciting announcement at their I/O conference: they are collaborating with Cisco, Microsoft, and Zoom to bring conferencing capabilities to vehicles through Android Auto. This new feature aims to prevent people from engaging in dangerous behavior like trying to drive while simultaneously using a video conferencing app on their phones.

The conferencing feature, initially focused on audio, will be integrated into Android Auto. Android Auto allows drivers to wirelessly project navigation, parking, media, and messaging from their Android smartphones onto their vehicle’s center display. Soon, drivers will be able to use Cisco’s WebEx, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom apps for conferencing purposes.

Google is actively expanding the number of vehicles equipped with Android Auto, with a projection of over 200 million connected vehicles by the end of this year. This demonstrates the growing popularity of using Cisco WebEx, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom for staying connected while on the move.

Although conferencing in vehicles is not yet a common practice, it is gaining attraction. Tesla announced last year that Zoom access would be available in their vehicles, and in February of this year, Mercedes partnered with Cisco to enable video calls in their 2024 E Class sedans.

As more people embrace video conferencing in our post-COVID world, integrating conferencing capabilities into vehicles is becoming increasingly relevant. This collaboration between Google, Cisco, Microsoft, and Zoom signifies a step forward in making on-the-go conferencing more accessible and safer for everyone.