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Mitsubishi announces new Android-based in-car infotainment systems

Mitsubishi today announced its new lineup of FLEXConnect In-Vehicle Infotainment systems. The in-car system is built on Android, but is not Google’s Android Auto platform. Instead, it’s a custom version of Android designed by Mitsubishi specifically for cars.

“Built on an Android platform, the center touchscreen allows easy sharing of navigation, media and climate functionality with the instrument panel and heads-up display. FLEXConnect.IVI features a large 12.1-inch portrait mode display that allows users the flexibility to access one to three features simultaneously. With full-screen, half-screen and one-third screen displays, users can access navigation only, navigation and media player, or navigation, media player and climate controls.”

The touchscreen takes the place of the entire center console, meaning that nearly every aspect of the vehicle is controlled via touchscreen, similar to the interface used in a Tesla. There’s also a 488×240 heads-up display that projects to the front windshield directly above the steering wheel.

Mitsubishi didn’t specify when its new generation of FLEXConnect systems would ship, but we’d imagine that they will begin appearing in the company’s 2016 line-up of vehicles later this year. It’s disappointing to see Mitsubishi, a supposed supporter of Android Auto, neglect Google’s offering in favor of its own. Hopefully the company still plans to support Android Auto, but if it doesn’t, there are plenty of manufacturers that will.

Mitsubishi Electric’s New FLEXConnect.IVI Improves Functionality, User Experience of In-Vehicle Infotainment Systems

NORTHVILLE, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mitsubishi Electric announces its new generation of FLEXConnect™ In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems. FLEXConnect.IVI provides a cost effective, yet intuitive, three-screen user interface. By combining swipe and touchscreen technology, the user can easily and safely interact with the heads-up display and instrument cluster on the center panel.

“FLEXConnect.IVI builds on flexible, extensible architecture allowing users to easily share content between passenger entertainment systems and outside devices such as tablets or phones.”

Built on an Android™ platform, the center touchscreen allows easy sharing of navigation, media and climate functionality with the instrument panel and heads-up display. Easy touchscreen access also lets users operate these functions with minimal distraction. Unlike most infotainment systems, FLEXConnect.IVI features a large 12.1-inch portrait mode display that allows users the flexibility to access one to three features simultaneously. With full-screen, half-screen and one-third screen displays, users can access navigation only, navigation and media player, or navigation, media player and climate controls.

While FLEXConnect.IVI provides the convenience of three displays, it is powered by a single Texas Instruments Jacinto 6 automotive processor. This provides the ability to share content from one display to the next in a sleek, time-efficient, and easy-to-understand manner. “Similar systems using multi-processor architectures would struggle to achieve a similar cohesive user experience,” said Gareth Williams, manager, Strategic Technologies, Audio, Video & Communications, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America. “FLEXConnect.IVI builds on flexible, extensible architecture allowing users to easily share content between passenger entertainment systems and outside devices such as tablets or phones.”

Key Technical Features

Texas Instruments Jacinto 6-based Android IVI platform driving three displays simultaneously
MDTI (Mitsubishi Display Technologies Inc.) 12.1-inch, 1,280×800 resolution center panel touchscreen
12.3-inch, 1,920×720 resolution instrument cluster
480×240 heads-up display
About Mitsubishi Electric FLEXConnect

The FLEXConnect architecture is a family of FLEXConnect.RSE, FLEXConnect.IVI, and FLEXConnect.ANC solutions that extend typical infotainment uses by allowing easy access across multiple devices over Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Mitsubishi Electric introduced the FLEXConnect series last year with FLEXConnect.RSE, (Rear Seat Entertainment). FLEXConnect.RSE is Mitsubishi Electric’s original in-vehicle infotainment system that features two rear-seat screens that allow the user to stream multiple contents per individual preferences while operating as independent units controlled through the Ethernet AVB architecture.

About Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America

Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, Inc., a U.S. affiliate company of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, was established in 1979 to serve the North American automotive, heavy-duty truck and coach business. Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America offers a wide range of products and services, including Passenger Entertainment Systems, Car Navigation Systems, Screens, Head Units, and Amplifiers. Additional information is available at: www.meaa-mea.com.

In addition to automotive electrical components, Mitsubishi Electric U.S. group companies’ principal businesses include semiconductor devices, factory automation products, heating and cooling products, elevators and escalators, solar modules, electric utility products, and large-scale video displays for stadiums and arenas. There are roughly 50 locations throughout North America with approximately 3,600 employees.

Android is a trademark of Google, Inc.

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