HiCar

HiCar (HUAWEI HiCar, Huawei’s Smart All-Scenario People-Car-Home Connectivity Solution) is an intelligent in-vehicle connectivity system developed by Huawei. Leveraging Huawei's proprietary distributed technology, it facilitates seamless wireless integration between smart devices (such as smartphones and tablets) and the vehicle's infotainment head unit, audio system, and on-board sensors. HiCar not only overcomes the limitations of traditional, closed infotainment ecosystems with limited app support, but also extends the smartphone's expansive app ecosystem, robust processing power, and AI capabilities directly into the cabin, delivering a smooth, intuitive, and connected cross-device motoring experience for both drivers and passengers.

Core Technical Architecture and Operating Principles

HiCar's technical architecture primarily comprises a device-side distributed soft bus, a multi-device collaborative virtualisation engine, an infotainment OS adaptation layer, and a secure encrypted communication link: 

Distributed Soft Bus and Hardware Virtualisation Sharing: 

Powered by Huawei's distributed technology, HiCar enables the "virtualised" decoupling and pooling of smartphone and vehicle hardware. Once paired with the infotainment system, the vehicle's touchscreen display, microphone, speakers, steering wheel controls, and even on-board sensors can be utilised as external peripherals for the smartphone. Concurrently, the phone's high-performance processor and rich mobile applications (such as navigation, audio streaming, and voice assistants) are rendered and operated seamlessly on the vehicle's central display.

Seamless Automatic Connection and Multi-Device Flow:

Leveraging near-field connectivity protocols (including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and UWB ultra-wideband technology), HiCar initiates an instant, seamless connection the moment the driver enters and starts the vehicle. Active navigation routes, audio playback, or ongoing phone calls are handed off smoothly to the infotainment screen and sound system without interruption, maintaining low-latency and high-definition data transmission throughout the journey. 

Safety Guidelines and Operational Limitations

Prohibition of Distracted Driving via Screen-Mirrored Entertainment or Multi-Tasking on the Move: 

While HiCar significantly expands the in-car feature ecosystem, it fundamentally remains an extension of the smartphone's processing capabilities. Drivers are strictly prohibited from operating projected entertainment apps, replying to text messages, or browsing intricate menus while driving, as diverting attention from the road is hazardous. Smart connectivity features can never replace the driver's full responsibility for active situational awareness and driving safety. 

Avoid Sole Reliance on Mirrored Navigation Under Weak Wireless Coverage, Heavy Interference, or Incomplete App Permissions: 

Real-time screen projection is highly dependent on stable wireless connectivity and smartphone background resource allocation. Drivers must not panic if screen mirroring drops unexpectedly due to the absence of offline maps, a flat phone battery, or background processes being killed by the operating system. Vehicle owners should remain familiar with their vehicle's native instrument cluster and built-in navigation to ensure reliable contingency handling should wireless connectivity fail.