On June 7, 2022, Apple announced the next generation of CarPlay at WWDC22. The new generation of CarPlay brings many new features, strengthens control over the vehicle, and requires access to more vehicle data, bringing a brand new experience to consumers.

Bringing new features means that the certification and testing of CarPlay will also increase correspondingly, and will become more difficult. The following section will be taken by Microtest to help us understand the new features of CarPlay and the impact on the certification.

First, let's take a look at what features Apple has updated.

Support for adjusting local settings in CarPlay interface

The new CarPlay interface incorporates local vehicle settings, such as radio, air conditioning, seats, etc. Users no longer need to exit CarPlay to adjust vehicle settings, which greatly enhances the user experience.

New dashboard display

CarPlay was actually updated to support the dashboard back in November 2020, although it only supported the display of map information.

This time Apple has made a more ambitious design for the dashboard, with the ability to customize different themes and styles. Combined with the latest iOS 16, it is possible to customize small components of the display, such as speed, top speed, fuel level, temperature, and music playback information.

Addition of EV Routing

Prior to WWDC, Apple CarPlay has been updated with certification and technical updates, including EV Routing.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Routing is a feature that allows Apple Maps, which comes with CarPlay, to automatically recommend charging locations and provide navigation when the battery is low, based on the charging characteristics of the electric vehicle (such as fast-charging protocol or charging power). New energy vehicles that support this feature will need to add EV Routing functionality for testing and road testing.

CarPlay's Adaptation to Different Screen Sizes

At the conference, CarPlay also mentioned that it adapts to different screens, with the most appropriate display style and layout for both landscape and portrait screens. This technology has been supported since CarPlay's birth, and this update makes it even more logical and aesthetically pleasing.

Impact on CarPlay Certification

Will CarPlay certification become more difficult?

Yes, every update to the CarPlay functionality is accompanied by an update to the technical standards and test cases, which can make CarPlay development and certification more difficult.

What impact is this update expected to have on CarPlay certification?

Apple has not yet disclosed the technical standards and test cases for these new features, but based on the updated features and Microtest's eight years of experience in CarPlay certification, the following updates are expected.

1)UX Design Specifications

CarPlay has a unified UX/HMI specification for icons, files, and connection logic in order to provide a consistent experience for users, and icons and connection logic must be organized into design files and submitted to Apple for review and approval when performing CarPlay certification.

The new interface and dashboard UI will update the design specifications.

2)Bench Test

One of the important tests for CarPlay certification is the bench test, which integrates the center console, directional control, reverse camera, speakers, and grips to simulate the environment inside the CarPlay system, and is used to test the functions and software protocols. The CarPlay interface control, local air conditioning settings, and vehicle information displayed on the dashboard need to be obtained through the CarPlay or iAP2 protocols, and the bench test will most likely increase the number of related tests. The test of the bench is likely to increase the test of related functions and protocols.

3)Real-world Testing

CarPlay has many tests that need to be completed by the vehicle, such as location performance test, wireless Wi-Fi performance test, ITU-T speech quality test, speech recognition test, EV Routing test.

The addition of CarPlay interface control for windows, air conditioning, and other hardware requires a real-world environment for testing.

How should Tier 1s respond?

Apple's CarPlay certification policy is that newer test standards and practices are implemented immediately upon release, with no transition period. Therefore, for new CarPlay functions, it is necessary to do the following in advance.

1)Confirmation of Functional Requirements

First of all, you need to confirm with the car manufacturer whether or not the new CarPlay function will be considered for the models to be released in the next two years.

2) Contact Apple with the help of the automaker

Contact Apple with the help of the company to obtain technical information on the latest features, including technical standards, development plug-ins, and test cases.

3)Analyze the standard with Microtest and develop the layout in advance.

With eight years of experience in CarPlay certification, Microtest will assist Tier 1 in interpreting the latest standards and quickly adapting to the new CarPlay features and certification, so as to quickly seize the first opportunity in the market.

Finally, I would like to introduce CarPlay certification and the advantages of Microtest.

Introduction to CarPlay Certification

CarPlay allows drivers to use iPhone features intelligently and safely while driving. CarPlay currently supports both wired (connecting with a Lighting cable) and wireless (pairing with Bluetooth or a cable and transmitting over WiFi) connectivity.

Functions currently supported include map navigation, phone calls, messages, music, podcasts, audiobooks, date, and Siri voice assistant. All of this is integrated into the center display inside the vehicle. Not only that, CarPlay Carrier now offers more third-party app categories (mainly music/podcasts/audiobooks and map navigation apps).

So far, more than 600 models supporting CarPlay have been announced on Apple's official website. In order to make CarPlay a good user experience, Apple requires that cars with CarPlay (certified as Tier 1) must pass strict acceptance tests, including but not limited to functionality, software protocol, performance (video decoding performance/audio quality/positioning performance), and UX design.

Microtest Advantages

Mature technology

Familiar with CarPlay certification specification and process, and control the direction of product development;

Familiar with the operation principle of CarPlay product and assist in product rectification;

Proficient in CarPlay testing to ensure the passing rate of the product;

We have 7 senior CarPlay testers with more than 3 years of CarPlay testing experience (3 with more than 5 years).

Coaching for the whole process of CarPlay certification

Member account application, daily management and maintenance;

Product information counseling, pre-qualification and submission; full project process control.

Resource Sharing

Provide customers with the latest and valuable product information;

Resource integration and matchmaking for customers with different needs: e.g. introducing quality case makers, core makers and bench suppliers for Tier 1.

To provide key testing resources for global customers and help enterprises' products to pass through the world, Microtest is taking action!

For more information, please contact us 。

24-hour hotline: 131-4343-1439 (WeChat same number) 

Email: mti@51mti.com