An R-Car reference package for Android comprises a reference board and an extension board as hardware environment, and the board support package (BSP) as software support.

The smartphone OS is continuing to be used for wider embedded processing applications, and it has been necessary to customise Android for use in development of automotive systems.

The latest Android 8.0 is configured, for the first time, with a framework for automotive application support as a standard component, making it possible to use Android 8.0 for automotive applications.

One consequence of this is that cloud services typically available through smartphone applications will now be available in vehicles, and is expected to spur the development of new cloud-based services for cars.