Cyanogen – A New Player on the Self-Driving Technology Scene
If you’re interested in devices and apps, you’ve certainly heard of Cyanogen. It’s one of the famous for Android ROMs. But it seems their company interests have changed. They are focusing on self-driving technology now.
Why is Cyanogen know?
Let’s give you a little background info in case you don’t know it. Android is an open source operating system. That means it can be modified and customized as much as the developer wants.
And that’s what CyanogenMod was: a tweaked Android version which you could install on your own device. It’s similar to OxygenOS found on OnePlus phones.
They first launched it in 2009, just one year after the first Android device had a commercial release. Their main purpose was to give you, the end user, more freedom and control over your device, without compromising security.
About a year ago, when things weren’t going to smoothly for the company, they change their name to Cyngn.
Now, the company is switching their focus on self-driving technology. It will be interesting to see whether or not they will keep the same vision. Having freedom of control for the user, but compromising on security, is a big challenge in the autonomous car field.
What’s the Latest News in Self-Driving Technology?
The general public wasn’t sure for some time in which direction they may go, after leaving the Android market behind.
But recently it became a bit more obvious.
Based on the changes on the information on their site but more relevantly their job listings. Software Manager – Autonomous Vehicle System Software, sounds like someone is dabbling in self-driving technology.
Second is their need for mapping and perception systems for both facilities in Singapore and Palo Alto. This will help them have a stable and clear testing ground.
The key piece of information was the permit they received from California’s Department of Motor Vehicles to test self-driving cars.
It will be interesting to see what a company with a lot of experience on customizing and optimizing mobile operating systems will come up within the autonomous cars field.
Especially with all the security features they’ve implemented in the CyanogenMod and CyanogenOS, even the option of creating user profiles with different permissions.
It will also be interesting to see if they will be able to take app client base with them on this drastic shift. Users in love with an app which would follow a brand to the self-driving technology industry would be a big win for the whole field.
But the changes are slim to none for this to happen, even if a company that reached over 25 millionusers can’t be easily forgotten.
Their change isn’t a simple startup pivot. They are basically starting over in a completely new field. Adding the internal tensions within the company to the mix has not helped them in keeping their client base.
In the last year, while the company was searching for their new direction, a new threat to keeping their users arose: LineageOS. They are a team of developers and engineers which are taking the mobile OS further, with members of the original team, including Steve Kondik, the original CEO.
The team is taking their product further, they are also making sure the former CyanogenMod audience knows that.
Connecting this with the major change in Cyngn’s focus, they might not have any fans left to see if they would be interested in the connected car.
What the Future Holds
In comparison to the mobile market, there isn’t any obvious leader in the self-driving technology market. Even if this is a great advantage for Cyngn, it’s also an opportunity for everyone racing to the finish line.
Some of the main competitors in this field are:
- Apple
- Waymo
- Comma.ai
- NVIDIA
- Drive.ai
- Nutonomy.
A list that is intimidating, but not fearsome. At the end of the day, they are all in the same spot. The market is still young and you cannot be sure how it will evolve.
It will still be interesting to keep a careful eye on their progress. They’ve managed to be a top company in Android MOD. I’m curious to see if they will be able to replicate the success.
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