Seattle-based automotive platform and tools provider OpenCar Inc announced a new service today at the Connected Car Expo, part of the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles, CA. OpenCar launched its new InsideTrack portal, the industry's first collaboration and software development lifecycle (SDLC) management service for developers of infotainment applications. InsideTrack provides automakers, their tier 1 suppliers and content providers with a common platform to build powerful automotive applications for new cars, and to distribute & maintain applications via over-the-air updates over the life of each vehicle.
With changing consumer expectations for Internet-connected products, automakers are now challenged to offer tightly integrated user experiences to remain relevant and appealing to buyers. To scale these efforts, automakers are migrating from their current fixed-function software development approach to an agile model that enables efficient development and high reusability. By providing a common tool set for all software development contributors, OpenCar's white label, standards-based application platform allows automakers and their tier 1 partners to distribute development and manage workflow while maintaining quality and control over the finished product.
At the show in booth #203 in the Platinum Room at the JW Marriott Hotel, OpenCar will demonstrate the new InsideTrack SDLC management and collaboration capabilities, and showcase a series of new developments using the OpenCar Connect application framework. Developers and automakers can now seamlessly merge and share applications, HMI themes and development tools, while controlling end-to-end development through program management capabilities that coordinate design, coding, QA, certification, pre-production, production, and maintenance phases.
"With this release, OpenCar's InsideTrack completes our long term vision for an end-to-end automotive infotainment development platform," said Jeff Payne, OpenCar's CEO. "With over 700 developer signups during our short beta period, it promises to invert the software procurement model used by automakers today. By empowering app developers to effectively create "native" apps without knowing the details of each target vehicle, a true automotive app marketplace can flourish. And everyone - automakers, tier 1s, developers and consumers, will realize the benefit."
