The Road to CarPlay Ultra: Best Practices for CarPlay Testing and Validation in Automotive IVI Systems

To meet customer expectations, the automotive industry focus is on ensuring the reliability and seamless integration of In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems, particularly with platforms like Apple CarPlay. For automotive OEMs rigorous testing of CarPlay implementations is essential to deliver a safe and intuitive user experience.

The Evolution of CarPlay and the Road to CarPlay Ultra

Apple CarPlay has become a standard feature in modern vehicles, providing drivers with a familiar interface to access navigation, communication, and entertainment apps. The latest version, known as CarPlay Ultra, promises a transformation in how infotainment integrates with vehicle systems. Automakers have partnered with Apple to ensure its deployment, with Aston Martin among the first to bring CarPlay Ultra to market in May 2025.

Key Features of Apple CarPlay Ultra

Unlike its predecessor, CarPlay Ultra is designed for deeper integration into vehicle hardware, making it more than just a projection system. The new capabilities include:

• Multi-Display Support – CarPlay Ultra extends beyond the central infotainment screen, integrating with multiple displays within the vehicle, including the instrument cluster and passenger screens. This aims to create a more seamless and customisable user experience.
• Deeper Vehicle Integration – CarPlay Ultra provides direct access to vehicle systems such as climate control, speedometers, fuel gauges, and seat positioning. This marks a significant shift from the current version, which relies primarily on an iPhone’s capabilities.
• Customisation Options for Automakers – Apple is allowing OEMs greater control over branding and UI customisation, ensuring that the interface aligns with each manufacturer’s aesthetic while still adhering to Apple’s usability guidelines.
• Expanded Widgets and Personalisation – The updated interface features a greater range of widgets, allowing drivers to personalise their dashboard with frequently used apps and information such as weather, calendar updates, and real-time vehicle diagnostics.

These enhancements reflect Apple's vision for a more immersive and fully integrated infotainment system. However, they also introduce new challenges for OEMs, as testing requirements will become more complex due to the deeper vehicle integration.

The Challenges of Testing CarPlay Ultra Integration

CarPlay Ultra’s expanded capabilities introduce several challenges that OEMs must address to ensure a smooth user experience:

1. Hardware and Software Compatibility – With multiple screens and deeper system integration, OEMs must ensure that CarPlay Ultra functions seamlessly across various vehicle configurations. Differences in processor speeds, display resolutions, and vehicle-specific interfaces create potential inconsistencies.
2. Real-Time Performance and Responsiveness – Given CarPlay Ultra’s new role in controlling key vehicle functions, latency issues and processing delays must be minimised to prevent disruptions in user experience.
3. Security and Data Privacy – As CarPlay Ultra gains access to more critical vehicle data, protecting driver privacy and preventing cybersecurity vulnerabilities will be essential. Testing must ensure that Apple’s encryption and security measures align with automotive industry standards.
4. User Experience and Distraction Minimisation – Apple’s UI is designed to reduce distractions, but CarPlay Ultra’s new interface presents fresh challenges in ensuring ease of use without overwhelming the driver with excessive information.

Nextgen’s Expertise in CarPlay Testing Services

With over 18 years of experience in the automotive sector, Nextgen has established itself as a leader in providing comprehensive CarPlay testing solutions for IVI systems. Their services are designed to support automotive OEMs in pre-certification, ensuring that CarPlay implementations meet the highest quality standards before a vehicle's launch.

How Nextgen Helps Automakers Prepare for CarPlay Ultra

• Pre-Certification Testing – Nextgen conducts rigorous pre-compliance validation, helping OEMs detect and resolve issues before submitting their systems for Apple’s final certification.
• Automated Infotainment Testing – Utilising the ATAM Connect platform, Nextgen offers automated testing that simulates real-world connectivity, UI interactions, and stress testing across a variety of devices and conditions.
• Multi-Device and Multi-Screen Interoperability – With CarPlay Ultra expanding to multiple screens, Nextgen’s extensive screen testing services enables thorough testing across different display setups to ensure a consistent and seamless experience.
• End-to-End Test Coverage – From early development stages to market deployment, Nextgen provides complete testing solutions, ensuring that CarPlay Ultra operates flawlessly in real-world conditions.

By leveraging Nextgen's expertise and advanced testing solutions, automotive manufacturers can confidently develop and deploy CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra compatible IVI systems that exceed consumer expectations and meet stringent industry standards. As CarPlay  redefines in-car infotainment, Nextgen stands ready to support OEMs in delivering high-quality, reliable, and fully integrated experiences for the next generation of vehicles.

The Road Ahead for CarPlay Testing

With an increasing need for comprehensive and scalable testing solutions, Nextgen’s automated and manual testing approach meets the evolving demands of infotainment systems and Apple CarPlay integration development. Organisations seeking a flexible, cost-effective, and globally validated testing solution will find Nextgen a strategic and practical choice.

Ultimately, better product performance, and user experience saves businesses time and money and builds brand recognition. To find out more about Nextgen's testing and automation as a service please contact Nextgen or call +44 3331 120 000 or lets set up an online meeting.