At a time when compatibility with wireless Android Auto is now linked to phones, there are several in-car head units and media players that still need tethered connections. But there’s a project that promises to add wireless support to a typical wired Android Auto connection. ‘AAWireless’ seems to be the solution to this problem. Emil Borconi-Szedressy and Chiel Prins are developing the AAWireless device. Szedressy has several published Android Auto applications and designed the original concept using a secondary phone. Prins helped create the Linux-based software and newer custom hardware. The adapter can be plugged into the car over USB and it creates a wireless signal to use Android Auto by eliminating the need for a cable between your car and phone.
AAWireless, which is now seeking crowdfunding support, has been tested on as many cars and units as possible by the development team. The smartphone application requires Android 9 Pie or higher to function. However, there’s always a chance that some units may never be compatible. This is because of the different implementations of onboard USD connectors and Android Auto. The project is seeking USD 220,000 on Indiegogo to create an industrial design for the casing and manufacture custom boards. If you want to a single AAWireless unit as soon as its shipping starts, you can back the project with USD 55. At the moment, the estimated date is December. If you will support the project with USD 110, you will get two AAWireless devices.
This small sized device is connected to the car’s USB port and then it can be paired with a smartphone using Bluetooth. Android Auto starts wirelessly one this is done. You will need a USB cable only if you want to charge your device. A USB-A connector and an Ethernet port are available in the current design of the device. However, the Indiegogo project discloses that finally it will be a lot smaller and come without any ports as it won’t really need them.
