Google’s new DHU emulator helps developers test Android Auto apps from their computers

Google has announced a new tool designed to help developers build apps for Android Auto.

With Desktop Head Unit (DHU), Google makes it easier for devs to emulate a car dashboard running Android Auto, thereby making the testing process more practical.

[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":1792615,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"business,dev,","session":"B"}']

All a developer needs to do is connect their phone to a computer via USB, and the mobile device will think it’s connected to a physical car. They can then test it properly to iron out bugs before releasing it to the public.

First announced at Google I/O in June 2014, Android Auto basically turns your car into an extension of your Android phone, relying on the device to power the service. It’s compatible with maps, music, web search, SMS, and telephone. Support is limited to a handful of cars at present, though it is possible to retrofit some cars with Pioneer’s multimedia receivers.

Google says that with the launch of the DHU emulator, previous simulators on offer will be wound down.