Apple develops technology to expand use of the iPhone in cars

The company is working on technology that would allow access to features such as the HVAC system, speedometer, radio and seats, according to people with knowledge of the plans. The initiative, known internally as “IronHeart,” is still in its early stages and will require the cooperation of automakers.

The work highlights the idea that cars could be a major source of income for the tech giant, even without actually selling a vehicle. While Apple car plans have faced setbacks, including the defection of key executives this year, the company has continued to move forward with CarPlay. Allows customers to link their iPhones with a vehicle to manage so-called infotainment functions. Seven years after its launch, today most major automakers offer CarPlay.

IronHeart would carry CarPlay one step further. The system based on iPhone it could access a number of controls, sensors and settings, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the project is secret.

This includes:

• indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity readings
• temperature zones, fans and defrosting systems
• surround sound speakers, equalizers, tweeters, subwoofers, and roll and balance settings
• seats and armrests
• the speedometer, tachometer and fuel instrument clusters

An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the Cupertino, California-based company’s auto plans.

By gaining access to the controls and instruments, Apple could convert CarPlay in an interface that could cover almost the entire car. The data could also be used by Apple or third parties to create new types of applications or add functions to existing ones.

Some Apple users have complained about the need to switch between CarPlay and the integrated system of a car to manage the main controls. This initiative would alleviate this problem.

The effort would be similar to Apple’s approach to health and home technology. The company offers an application in the iPhone which can access and add data from external health devices using its HealthKit protocol. The Home app, meanwhile, uses Apple’s HomeKit system to control smart gadgets such as thermostats, security cameras, and door locks.

IronHeart would represent Apple’s biggest drive in automobiles since it launched CarPlay in 2014, but it might not be a hit with automakers, who might be reluctant to give up control of key functions to Apple. While CarPlay is currently in more than 600 car models, other Apple initiatives launched in recent years have taken longer to be accepted by automakers.