Ok, I'm saying it - the infotainment system sucks (but who cares)

[PsymonR]

I can't find any definitive information regarding Emira and Android Automotive.
One thing to note is that there are two ways of doing Android Automotive, with and without GAS (Google Automotive Services). With GAS means that it includes google services such as Google Assistant/Maps/Play Store. Without it I imagine it'll be less obvious due to the lack of Google apps etc.
Wikipedia has the Eletre and Emeya down as having Android Automotive (without GAS), but there is no mention of the Emira. But of course Wikipedia isn't necessarily a reliable source.

The Emira system is supposed to be a rehash of the AA setup from the Lynk & Co 01 and the recent Volvo cars. Same displays, same buttons, same functions. They even reused big chunks of the manual from Volvo.

I can't speak for the Lynk & Co system (AA without GAS according to wiki) but It's definitely not a rehashed AA setup from Volvo in the Emira. Volvo use a GAS implementation of Android Automotive with default navigation handled by Google Maps etc. Also you cannot actually use Android Auto with the Volvo implementation, only Apple CarPlay.

Here's info from the DCY11 technical manual indicating the OS:

I'd find it strange if the Emira was running on Android 9 as it was released in 2018. The first Android Automotive release was with Android 11, and latest seems to be 13 with 14 incoming.

 

[Porter]

I can't speak for the Lynk & Co system (AA without GAS according to wiki) but It's definitely not a rehashed AA setup from Volvo in the Emira. Volvo use a GAS implementation of Android Automotive with default navigation handled by Google Maps etc. Also you cannot actually use Android Auto with the Volvo implementation, only Apple CarPlay.

I'd find it strange if the Emira was running on Android 9 as it was released in 2018. The first Android Automotive release was with Android 11, and latest seems to be 13 with 14 incoming.

It's my understanding that the Volvo system and the Lynk & Co system use the same hardware. It's interesting that they have different levels of AA implementation. It makes sense that Volvo would have the full boat, being a premium brand, but it's somewhat annoying that Lotus wouldn't have it considering their brand positioning even further upmarket. Maybe the Volvo UX team insisted on it?

 

[Kimmax]

I've a 2024 Volvo XC60 in my driveway which has a very obvious android automotive fitted. If Emira really runs on Automotive they did a hella good job hiding it. The infotainment being listed as Android 9.0 also speaks against it imo. Android based infotainment != Android Automotive.

 

[Porter]

I've a 2024 Volvo XC60 in my driveway which has a very obvious android automotive fitted. If Emira really runs on Automotive they did a hella good job hiding it. The infotainment being listed as Android 9.0 also speaks against it imo. Android based infotainment != Android Automotive.

I totally get what you're saying. What's going to be interesting is to see what the hardware is capable of once a decent tinkerer gets a spare unit to investigate.

 

[NJemira85]

I would pay to implement hd radio. Just for the hell of it frankly. Drives me nuts that a 2024 $100k car with wireless CarPlay doesn’t have hd radio enabled with a chipset that supports it natively and a “premium” kef radio

 

[PsymonR]

I would pay to implement hd radio. Just for the hell of it frankly. Drives me nuts that a 2024 $100k car with wireless CarPlay doesn’t have hd radio enabled with a chipset that supports it natively and a “premium” kef radio

Here in the UK HD Radio isn't a thing. The Emira's radio was designed with the DAB digital radio standard which is the one used here (and more widely in the world).

Google AI summary of HD audio Vs DAB:

DAB is more widely adopted globally than HD Radio. While both are digital radio technologies, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is the dominant standard in Europe and other parts of the world, whereas HD Radio is primarily used in North America.

It's probably worth adding that one of the other parts of the world mentioned that has DAB is China. So it is perhaps unsurprising that a car developed in the UK by a Chinese owned company went the DAB route when designing the infotainment.

The costs (and logistics) of designing a different setup for the NA market may have been why it wasn't implemented.

 

[NJemira85]

Here in the UK HD Radio isn't a thing. The Emira's radio was designed with the DAB digital radio standard which is the one used here (and more widely in the world).

Google AI summary of HD audio Vs DAB:

DAB is more widely adopted globally than HD Radio. While both are digital radio technologies, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is the dominant standard in Europe and other parts of the world, whereas HD Radio is primarily used in North America.

It's probably worth adding that one of the other parts of the world mentioned that has DAB is China. So it is perhaps unsurprising that a car developed in the UK by a Chinese owned company went the DAB route when designing the infotainment.

The costs (and logistics) of designing a different setup for the NA market may have been why it wasn't implemented.

Isn’t the largest market for Emira the us? Also, I bet it’s basically checking a box in the firmware settings. There’s no way they are required to
Custom code this

 

[PsymonR]

Isn’t the largest market for Emira the us? Also, I bet it’s basically checking a box in the firmware settings. There’s no way they are required to
Custom code this

HD radio and DAB are different technologies using different hardware (and presumably as a result different software protocols). It definitely wouldn't just be a simple check box exercise.

Not trying to make excuses for Lous here, just to give an insight into why it might not have been implemented.

 

[Quasimoto]

Contrarian here...

We actually like that the center screen is not oriented to the driver. It makes it easier for the passenger to use the screen, especially when they are the navigator... (Imho, this is a downside to the C8 cockpit which really puts the occupants in separate spaces)

Yes we also have intermittent Carplay connectivity issues, but can't say thats a Lotus problem as we occasionally have it on other vehicles as well.

 

[Kimmax]

Yes we also have intermittent Carplay connectivity issues, but can't say thats a Lotus problem as we occasionally have it on other vehicles as well.

I don't know who changed what, either there was something in one of the latest updates or Apple did some tweaking in the latest iOS beta, but my phone seems to connect reliably (wireless) now by itself.
I still takes longer than it should, but now it's alive usually 40-60s after starting.
Or.. it's just on a good streak and ceases to function again in a few days