Parking, refueling, and navigation—car-related apps have been around for a long time and come in many shapes and sizes. With the rise of concepts such as the connected car, self-driving car, electric vehicle, and smart mobility, a wave of new, innovative mobile applications is emerging.
In this article, we explore the different types of automotive apps. Pinch develops a wide range of automotive apps for dealers, distributors, collectors, wholesalers, suppliers, garages, car manufacturers, and leasing companies.
Because connected cars exchange data with other systems and devices, they offer a wide range of applications, including:
A well-known example of connected car technology is eCall, a mandatory system that automatically alerts emergency services in case of a severe accident. Many automotive apps leverage data from connected cars, which essentially function as large Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This data is accessed via the OBD2 port (on-board diagnostics).
Connected car apps provide a variety of functionalities, such as:
With Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, smartphone functions can be controlled via a car’s dashboard screen, enabling features like Google Maps navigation on the main display.
Google has taken this a step further with Android Automotive, a variant of the Android operating system designed specifically for in-car use. Unlike Android Auto, Android Automotive is integrated into the vehicle’s system, allowing direct interaction with the car’s air conditioning, GPS, and seat sensors.
Smart mobility is all about using data and digitalization to optimize transportation, reducing emissions, traffic congestion, and accidents. Cars equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)—such as Adaptive Cruise Control and distance-measuring cameras—enhance safety and efficiency.
Even road infrastructure can be smart. Traffic lights that communicate with drivers’ smartphones can improve traffic flow, reducing wait times. Additionally, car-sharing and ride-sharing services are increasingly part of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) solutions, allowing users to plan, book, and pay for various transport modes within a single app.
Apps play a key role in smart mobility for car owners. Beyond MaaS solutions, other applications include:
The future of cars is electric. Charging station apps make life easier for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. Pinch, for example, contributes to the maintenance and development of the Charge Assist app by GreenFlux, which helps users locate charging stations in real time, check availability and pricing, and pay automatically after charging.
Additionally, EV route planning apps consider factors such as car model, weather, road conditions, and speed limits to suggest optimal charging locations.
There are many different automotive applications, including:
One of the most commonly used automotive apps is the parking app. Parkmobile, developed by ParkNow, is one of the most popular parking apps. Pinch regularly contributes to its development.
With Parkmobile, drivers can find parking spots, navigate to them, and start a parking session with a single tap. Payment is automatic, calculated per minute, and processed at the end of the month.
Pinch is a renowned mobile development agency based in Amsterdam. Since our founding in 2011, we have developed over 100 apps for clients such as Albert Heijn, NRC, NS, and Takeaway.com.
Developing an automotive app with Pinch means co-creating a solution that combines your expertise in the automotive industry with our knowledge of app developing and marketing.
In addition to native iOS and Android apps, we also develop hybrid Flutter apps, providing flexibility and efficiency in mobile app development.
A high-quality app requires more than just a great idea and flawless development. Pinch offers a full-service approach, covering:
This comprehensive approach is unique in the market, maximizing your app’s impact and success.
Want to learn more? Read our article on mobility apps.
