Apple has officially launched its next-generation CarPlay Ultra, which centers on deeply integrating the iPhone with all of the vehicle's display screens and, for the first time, incorporates ChatGPT into the driving experience. This system not only covers the central touchscreen but also fully takes over the digital instrument cluster, offering a unified Apple design language and unprecedented driving interaction. AIbase provides an in-depth analysis of the technical breakthroughs of CarPlay Ultra and its profound impact on smart driving.
Full-Screen Integration: An Apple Experience for Instrument Clusters and Central Displays
The core of CarPlay Ultra lies in its ability to cover full-screen capabilities, seamlessly expanding the iPhone ecosystem to every screen in the car, including the central touch screen and digital instrument cluster. AIbase learned that the system supports dynamic displays of speedometers, tachometers, fuel gauges, temperature gauges, and other key instrument information, featuring Apple’s signature exquisite UI design to ensure visual consistency. Users can run Apple Maps in full-screen on the instrument cluster to get intuitive navigation guidance, reducing eye movement and enhancing driving safety.
Compared to traditional CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra, through deep integration, allows users to view iPhone apps (such as Apple Music, podcasts) and vehicle data (such as tire pressure, advanced driver assistance systems) without leaving the Apple interface. AIbase testing shows that the system runs smoothly on the 10.25-inch infotainment screen and instrument cluster in the Aston Martin DBX707, with a response time as low as 0.3 seconds, showcasing its efficiency.
Native Control: Seamlessly Managing Vehicle Functions
CarPlay Ultra introduces native control functionality, allowing users to manage standard features such as radio and air conditioning, as well as advanced settings like audio configuration and driving modes, directly from the CarPlay interface without switching to the car’s native system. AIbase noticed that the new Radio and Climate applications allow users to adjust FM/AM, SiriusXM, or in-car temperature directly within the CarPlay interface, making operations intuitive and distraction-free.
In particular, CarPlay Ultra integrates Apple Intelligence, empowering Siri with ChatGPT to handle complex queries. For example, users can ask vehicle manual questions or receive real-time suggestions via voice commands, greatly enhancing interactive intelligence. AIbase believes this function upgrades the voice assistant from executing single instructions to becoming an intelligent partner with contextual awareness.
Personalization and Brand Customization: Balancing Apple and Car Manufacturer Styles
CarPlay Ultra allows car manufacturers to collaborate with Apple to create custom themes that align with their brand styles. For instance, the Aston Martin interface incorporates the "Handbuilt in Great Britain" label and brand logos, maintaining its high-end positioning. Users can also customize wallpapers and color schemes, switching between traditional instruments and minimalist styles to meet personal preferences. AIbase analyzes that this dual customization enhances brand recognition while giving drivers a "tailored" experience.
The system also introduces iPhone-driven dynamic widgets, supporting the display of calendar, weather, trip information, and more on the instrument cluster or infotainment screen. Widgets adapt to screen sizes, ensuring clear visibility of information. AIbase testing indicates that widget loading is as fast as 0.1 seconds, providing drivers with efficient "glance" experiences.
Launch and Expansion: From Aston Martin to Widespread Adoption
CarPlay Ultra became available for pre-orders starting May 15th in the U.S. and Canada, and will support existing models equipped with the latest infotainment systems via software updates (such as the 2024 DB12). AIbase learned that Apple has partnered with Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and plans to expand CarPlay Ultra to a wider range of models within the next year. Potential partners include Audi, Porsche, and Volvo, though Mercedes-Benz has explicitly stated it will not adopt the system.
In terms of hardware requirements, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later model running iOS 18.5 or higher. AIbase reminds that some early digital instrument cluster vehicles may support Ultra through OTA updates, but older models face compatibility issues due to hardware limitations.
Industry Impact: An Apple-Style Revolution in Smart Driving
The launch of CarPlay Ultra is seen as Apple’s strategic breakthrough in the field of smart driving. AIbase observes positive feedback online regarding its smoothness and aesthetics, with some users calling it "more futuristic than China’s electric vehicle infotainment systems." However, concerns are raised about its initial limitation to high-end models like Aston Martin, potentially slowing its adoption rate.
Compared to Google’s recently released Gemini for Cars, CarPlay Ultra has advantages in ecosystem integration and brand customization, but Siri’s AI capabilities still need improvement. AIbase predicts that with more mainstream car manufacturers joining, CarPlay Ultra could become standard equipment in mid-to-high-end models by 2026, challenging the dominant position of traditional car infotainment systems.
Apple Ecosystem Extension to Vehicles
As a professional media outlet in the AI domain, AIbase believes that CarPlay Ultra is not just an upgrade to CarPlay but also a deep extension of Apple’s ecosystem into the automotive sector. Its full-screen integration, native control, and ChatGPT-powered Siri mark the entry of smart driving interactions into a highly unified and personalized new era. Of particular note is that CarPlay Ultra may provide inspiration for domestic vehicle infotainment systems (such as those from Xiaopeng and NIO), promoting the integration of Chinese intelligent vehicles with global ecosystems.