The OAA aims to develop systems that enable developers to easily add car-specific modes to their apps to "bring the best of Android into the automobile in a safe and seamless way" Microsoft also has a system called Microsoft Sync to connect smartphones to in-car entertainment and the dashboard.
By announcing that CarPlay will be available in vehicles from a myriad of car manufacturers this year, Apple has dealt the competition from OAA and Microsoft a heavy first-mover advantage blow.
Google says in an FAQ on the OAA site that "We're working with our partners to enable better integration between cars and Android devices in order to create a safer, car-optimised experience.
The aim of the OAA is to "adapt Android for the car to make driving safer, easier and more enjoyable for everyone" by "enabling new forms of integration".
Commenting on the announcement, the research group Canalys commented that the OAA "is a step forward for Google, but is playing catch-up to Apple's larger "iOS in the Car" community".
"The Open Automotive Alliance is a group of leading automakers and technology companies that share a vision for making technology in the car safer, more seamless and more intuitive for everyone," says an OAA statement on its website.
Currently the OAA boasts Audi, General Motors, Honda and Hyundai from the car manufacturers, with Google and chipmaker Nvidia from the technology industry, which means there will be a clash between the Google and Apple camps.
Unless Apple specifically excludes the OAA in its licensing agreements for CarPlay, some cars could default to Android but switch to iPhone connectivity when an iPhone is plugged into the system.
General Motors, which produces Vauxhall cars in the UK, is signed up to both Apple's CarPlay and Google's OAA as well as the GENIVI Alliance, and so are Honda and Hyundai, which means drivers might get the choice of Android or iPhone compatibility at the point of buying a new car.
Google launched its own purpose-built Android-based car system initiative earlier this year called the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), which includes Audi, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Nvidia, manufacturer of the Tegra 4 processor that powers several Android tablets and smartphones.
