Playing your favorite video games in the car is something that can be done for many years and in different ways: adapting consoles and screens, with a tablet, with your mobile or even with a portable console. But what would you think if we told you that soon you will be able to do it directly from the dashboard screen? We are not talking about driving and playing at the same time, but about having your car integrate a service that allows you to play without adding any extra equipment .
What are we referring to? Well, Nvidia’s new plans with Android Automotive, because GeForce Now will arrive in your car in 2023 . Yes, playing from the dashboard of your car will now be possible without adaptations.
GeForce Now will debut in cars in 2023, with Hyundai, BYD and Polestar leading the way
Taking advantage of CES 2023 and through a blog post , Nvidia confirmed that its cloud gaming platform will reach different cars in 2023. The company said that it is working on bringing GeForce Now to Android Automotive , thus taking an unprecedented step in the world of video games.
Initially, Nvidia will integrate its service into various cars from Hyundai, BYD and Polestar . Why these specific manufacturers? Because all of them are already working on vehicles that integrate Nvidia Drive Hyperion, their autonomous driving platform. Specifically, Hyundai has been working with this system since last year, BYD will start selling cars with it in the first half of 2023, and Polestar will integrate it into its new Polestar 3.
In addition, there is another characteristic that these three manufacturers share: their cars use Android Automotive. In case you don’t know, this is a complete operating system that goes far beyond the classic infotainment system for cars . Why? Because it includes a virtual assistant with voice control, Google services, compatibility with numerous apps and much more.
The arrival of GeForce Now on this platform is something that may surprise you, but the truth is that it was to be expected. After all, GeForce Now can be run from both a native app and a web browser, and Android Automotive has (at least) the latter.
What can you expect from GeForce Now on Android Automotive? Can it be used while driving?
While the announcement doesn’t go into much detail about Nvidia’s plans, there are a few things we can surmise about how GeForce Now works in Android Automotive.
For example, it is quite likely that it cannot be used on the dashboard screen while driving , as it would be dangerous, reckless and illegal. So the only way to use GeForce Now on the car’s main screen would be when it’s parked or charging.
However, the platform may be accessible at all times on the rear seat screens (if the car has them). After all, the passengers are not the ones behind the wheel and can entertain themselves with something else.
Regarding performance, we imagine that it will be the same on other platforms, especially now that Nvidia has launched its new Ultimate plan with RTX 4080 graphics. What do we mean? At resolutions up to 4K with ray tracing and DLSS 3 , as long as your connection speed allows it. Finally, we are sure that Nvidia will make its entire catalog available to these new users, which includes more than 1,500 titles, and compatibility with controllers .
By the way, we don’t know anything about compatibility on older models from these same brands (such as the Polestar 2) , as well as other manufacturers. However, it is not crazy to think that if all goes well, compatibility will gradually expand.
