Santa Clara, California, February 22nd, 2024 — Telenav, a leading provider of navigation and in-vehicle connectivity software, today announced it has integrated Google Search into the navigation products it supplies for BYD's 6125 platform — dramatically upgrading destination search for BYD-branded vehicles across Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, South America, and South Asia.
BYD has entered into an in-vehicle licensing agreement with Google authorizing the integration of Google Search services into its overseas models. As the software solution provider, Telenav led the interaction design and engineering of Google Search within the navigation product and completed full integration with the vehicle and cockpit systems on the 6125 platform.
"Search is the front door to every journey. By bringing Google Search into the navigation experience, BYD drivers get the breadth and freshness of information they expect from their phones — delivered safely, right in the vehicle. It is a milestone program for us and a preview of where in-car search is headed," said Hassan Wahla, President & Chief Customer Officer, Automotive, at Telenav.
"This is the first time we've brought Google Search into a navigation product delivered to an OEM, and the engineering challenge was to make it feel native to the car — simple, safe, and fast. From search to route to guidance, the entire journey now flows as one seamless experience," said Manfred Fu, General Manager, Automotive, at Telenav.
With Google Search powering the navigation search module, users get richer, real-time information on destinations and points of interest — broader POI coverage, higher search success rates, and more complete destination details. For BYD customers driving in unfamiliar markets, across languages, and with diverse travel needs, which means a search experience they can consistently trust.
The integration keeps safety and simplicity front and center: users initiate searches via the head unit or voice, and results are presented in a format tailored to the in-car environment — while approaching the completeness of a mobile search experience. The navigation system then manages route planning, turn-by-turn guidance, and trip management, completing a seamless chain from search to destination.
Going forward, the partners will use real-world usage data and user feedback to continuously refine search and localization, adjusting integration strategies to service availability and regulatory requirements in each region — bringing BYD's overseas users ever deeper and broader in-vehicle search capabilities.
