Parrot Automotive Explained

Parrot Faurecia Automotive
Type:	Société par actions simplifiée
Founded:	1994 (as Parrot)2015 (as Parrot Automotive)2017 (as Parrot Faurecia Automotive)
Hq Location City:	Paris
Hq Location Country:	France
Industry:	Electronics and software
Key People:	Jean-Luc Tété (CEO)
Products:	audio, electronics, and in-car entertainment systems for automotive OEMs
Parent:	Faurecia
Homepage:	http://www.parrot-faurecia-automotive.com

Parrot Faurecia Automotive SAS is a French tech company that designs, develops and markets infotainment products for passenger vehicles and commercial trucks.

History and products

The Paris-based tech firm designs its own software, hardware and processors. It is an early adopter of Bluetooth technology and is an associate member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.^[1] Parrot originally stepped into the automotive business in the 2000s, with aftermarket Bluetooth hands free car kits^[2] and car radios.^[3] In 2011, at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show, the company introduced the first Android-based car radio.^{[4] [5]}

In the following years, Parrot's automotive business unit transitioned from aftermarket products for consumers to infotainment platforms and connectivity modules sold directly to car makers or to Tier-1 suppliers. Parrot's technology revolves around connectivity, analog and digital radio, voice processing and recognition. Parrot's head units provide entertainment features for the front and the rear of the vehicle, are mostly Android-based, and support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.^[6] The Simple Box, introduced at CES 2016,^[7] enables the vehicle occupants to use their own tablets or smartphones as the main interface with their vehicles.

In 2014, Parrot joined the Open Automotive Alliance,^[8] an alliance of auto makers and tech companies fostering the use of Android in the automotive industry. In 2015, Parrot Automotive branched off from Parrot SA to become a fully owned subsidiary.In 2016, Parrot launches Octopus 3+, a TV and radio tuner processor.^[9]

In March 2017, Faurecia starts the acquisition project for Parrot Automotive.^[10] The company is renamed Parrot Faurecia Automotive.On October 1, 2018, Faurecia completes the acquisition of 100% of Parrot Faurecia Automotive^[11]

Parrot Automotive's customers include car makers such as McLaren,^[12] Volvo Cars,^[13] and Honda.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Member Directory Bluetooth Technology Website. Bluetooth. www.bluetooth.com. 2016-07-11.
2. Web site: Parrot MINIKIT Bluetooth Speakerphone. Robinson. Gavin. 2006-09-12. TechCrunch. 2016-07-11.
3. Web site: Parrot RK8200 Bluetooth Car Stereo Ditches the CD. Lam. Brian. 2007-09-27. Gizmodo. en-US. 2016-07-11.
4. Web site: Parrot Asteroid car receiver packs Android and apps into your dash. Miller. Paul. 2011-01-04. Engadget. 2016-07-11.
5. Hands-On With Parrot's Latest (And Maybe Greatest) Android-Powered Head Unit. Lavrinc. Damon. 2012-10-03. Wired. en-US. 2016-07-11.
6. Web site: Parrot's new dashboard turns your old clunker into a smart car. Popper. Ben. 2015-01-05. The Verge. 2016-07-11.
7. Web site: Les startups françaises lauréates du CES 2016 sont …. Spaeth. Alexandre. 2016-01-11. Les Échos. fr-FR. 2016-07-11.
8. Web site: Open Automotive Alliance partners new & old confirm Android Auto support, aftermarket solutions. Kahn. Jordan. 2014-06-25. 9to5Google. 2016-07-11.
9. Web site: Parrot unveils its latest SDR chip "O3+"…. Globe Newswire. 2016-05-10. CNBC. 2019-01-15.
10. Web site: Faurecia finalizes its partnership with Parrot Automotive …. Faurecia Website. 2017-03-27. Faurecia. 2019-01-15.
11. Web site: Faurecia completes purchase of Parrot Faurecia Automotive. Faurecia Website. 2018-10-01. Faurecia. 2019-01-15.
12. The McLaren Supercar Gets a Slick Android Infotainment System. Lavrinc. Damon. 2013-09-03. Wired. en-US. 2016-07-11.
13. Web site: Parrot's Asteroid app platform lands in Volvo dashboards - Roadshow. Goodwin. Antuan. 2013-03-08. Roadshow. 2016-07-11.