For over a decade, OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers have relied on our team to deliver connected vehicle software, with projects for brands such as JLR, Škoda, Mitsubishi Electric, and Gentherm.
Our connected car app development services
Connected vehicles have moved from a premium feature to a core part of the ownership experience. According to J.D. Power, 90% of EV owners use their OEM app, and among ICE vehicle owners, that figure is approaching 80%.
Yet usage growth has outpaced quality. For example, more than 70% of EV app users want features like charge scheduling, trip planning, and in-app payments, but fewer than half have ever used them largely because these features were either missing or hidden in the app.
In this environment, the challenge for OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and mobility providers is how to develop a connected car solution that meets customer expectations, handles vehicle data, and supports future platform expansion. This is the type of challenge Bamboo Apps has addressed for leading automotive brands and technology partners over the past decade.
For many drivers, the mobile app is the primary interface to their vehicle. Bamboo Apps develops remote control applications with features such as remote lock and unlock, climate pre-conditioning, horn and lights activation, vehicle locator, real-time status monitoring, GPS, etc. Our team integrates these apps with vehicle APIs, telematics platforms, and cloud services.
Our team carefully implements access permissions, device authentication, and credential management features for digital key apps. They come with BLE and UWB support, secure onboarding flows, key provisioning, temporary access sharing, and multi-user management. Our engineers also integrate digital key functionality with OEM identity systems and connected vehicle platforms.
The experience in this domain dates back to our participation in the Connected Car Consortium, where we worked on early digital key initiatives.
The EV experience extends well beyond the vehicle itself. Drivers expect accurate battery information, reliable charging support, and clear journey planning tools within a single solution. Bamboo Apps builds EV companion apps that provide battery monitoring, charging session management, range estimation, charging station discovery, route planning, and payment integration. We also connect applications with OEM backends, charging networks, and energy ecosystem partners.
Connected vehicles generate vast amounts of operational data, yet raw data hardly provides value on its own. Telematics applications transform that information into insights that support business operations and customer services. Our team develops solutions for vehicle tracking, remote vehicle diagnostics, predictive maintenance, driver behaviour analysis, utilisation reporting, and fleet management. We work with vehicle data streams, telematics control units, cloud platforms, and analytics tools to deliver actionable information in real time.
Must-have connected car app features we can implement
App-based remote vehicle control
Drivers can interact with key vehicle functions directly from their smartphone, including door access, climate control, vehicle location, and status checks.
Vehicle status and health monitoring
A continuous stream of vehicle data provides visibility into battery or fuel monitoring, tyre pressure, warning indicators, mileage, and overall vehicle health.
Predictive maintenance features
By combining AI with vehicle telemetry, connected apps can identify patterns that indicate potential component failures before they develop into serious issues.
Safety and emergency response
In critical situations, connected services can automatically trigger crash notifications, share vehicle location, or provide direct access to roadside assistance and emergency support.
Route alerts and navigation
Traffic conditions, charging availability, and route changes can appear in real time, enhanced with V2X communication. It helps drivers make better decisions throughout their journey.
In-app payments
A single payment environment gives users convenient access to charging sessions, parking services, toll roads, subscriptions, and other mobility-related transactions.
AI personalisation
Each user receives a more relevant experience through personalised content, recommendations, vehicle settings, infotainment system settings, and service offers based on historical behaviour and preferences.
Push notifications and geofencing
Location-based rules make it possible to trigger alerts when a vehicle enters or leaves a specific area or when predefined events occur.
OTA-delivered features
New functionality can reach vehicles remotely through software updates. It reduces reliance on dealership visits and speeds up the introduction of new features.
Check our projects in connected car app development
Technologies we use for connected automotive solutions development
Native app development
- Swift
- Swift UI
- Kotlin
Cross-platform app development
- Kotlin Multiplatform
- React Native
- Flutter
- Qt
Backend
- Node.js
- Java
- Python
- .NET
Cloud
- AWS
- Azure
- Firebase
- GCP
Our connected car software development process
Connected car applications rely on a complex mix of vehicle systems, cloud services, telematics platforms, and third-party integrations. Our process provides clear visibility at every stage, with defined deliverables that support informed decisions and reduce delivery risk.
Before connected automotive solution development starts, we establish a clear understanding of business goals, user expectations, technical constraints, and platform requirements.
Deliverables:
- Business and technical requirements document
- Connected vehicle feature scope
- User journey mapping
- Integration assessment
- Delivery roadmap and project estimates
This stage lays the technical foundation for connected vehicle solution.
Deliverables:
- Solution architecture blueprint
- Data flow and API specifications
- Technology stack recommendations
- Security and compliance requirements
- Infrastructure and deployment strategy
We design solutions in a way that makes connected vehicle features easy to access and use across mobile devices.
Deliverables:
- User flows and wireframes
- Interactive prototypes
- Mobile app UI screens
- Design documentation for development
Once designs and architecture are approved, our engineers implement the application, backend services, and connected vehicle functionality.
Deliverables:
- iOS and Android applications
- Backend services and APIs
- User authentication and account management
- Connected vehicle feature implementation
- Admin and operational tools, where required
A connected car app must communicate seamlessly with multiple systems across the automotive ecosystem.
Deliverables:
- Vehicle API integrations
- Telematics platform connectivity
- OEM backend integrations
- Charging, payment, and mapping service integrations
- End-to-end data exchange validation
We verify that every feature works as expected across devices, connectivity scenarios, and integration points before release.
Deliverables:
- Functional testing reports
- Security testing results
- Performance and load testing results
- Defect resolution documentation
- User acceptance testing support
Once the app reaches production, our connected car app developers help the product mature and deliver long-term value.
Deliverables:
- App Store and Google Play deployment
- Production environment setup
- Monitoring and analytics configuration
- Maintenance and support plan
- Post-launch enhancement roadmap
Why choose Bamboo Apps as your connected car app developer
Safe and secure app development
As safety regulations compliance is our top priority, we follow secure development practices from architecture through release. We develop with awareness of automotive standards and processes such as ISO 26262 and ASPICE.
Trusted by OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers
Bamboo Apps has delivered digital automotive solutions for global OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, including Jaguar Land Rover, Škoda, Mitsubishi Electric, Zurich Insurance, and Gentherm. It gives our team first-hand experience with the technical, operational, and regulatory demands of the automotive sector.
Award-winning UX design
Great connected experiences depend on more than functionality alone. Our UX team designs digital products that make complex vehicle features intuitive and easy to use, an approach that has earned recognition from the UX Design Awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is a connected car app?
A connected car app is a software interface that connects drivers with their vehicle through mobile devices and cloud-based services. It provides access to vehicle data, remote commands, connected services, and digital capabilities that go beyond the vehicle itself.
How does a connected car app communicate with the vehicle?
Most connected car apps exchange data through a cloud platform connected to the vehicle’s telematics control unit (TCU). Depending on the use case, communication may also rely on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi, or OEM APIs.
Do connected car apps work with all vehicles?
No. App functionality depends on the vehicle’s hardware, telematics capabilities, connectivity modules, and available APIs.
As a rule, modern connected vehicles support a broader range of services. But legacy platforms may require additional integration work or offer limited functionality.
Compatibility assessment is typically one of the first stages of a connected car project.
How secure are connected car apps?
They offer a high level of protection when connected automotive solution development complies with automotive cybersecurity best practices. Security measures include:
- Encrypted communication between the vehicle, app, and backend systems
- Multi-factor and secure user authentication
- Role-based access controls
- Device verification and credential management
- Protection for digital keys and remote vehicle commands
- Secure cloud infrastructure and data storage
How long does connected car software development take?
Feature scope, integration complexity, and vehicle platform readiness significantly affect the timing. However, approximate benchmarks are as follows:
| Solution type | Typical timeline |
| Remote vehicle control app | 3–6 months |
| Digital key solution | 4–8 months |
| EV companion app | 4–8 months |
| Telematics platform | 6–12 months |
| Connected vehicle ecosystem with multiple integrations | 9–12+ months |
How much does typical connected vehicle app development cost?
As with timelines, project costs depend on the number of supported platforms, vehicle integrations, backend requirements, security measures, and regulatory considerations. While costs vary significantly from one solution to another, the following ranges provide a general indication of typical investment levels.
| Solution type | Typical cost range |
| Remote vehicle control app | €50,000–€200,000+ |
| Digital key solution | €100,000–€300,000+ |
| EV companion app | €100,000–€300,000+ |
| Telematics platform | €200,000–€750,000+ |
| Connected vehicle ecosystem with multiple integrations | €500,000–€1M+ |
How to choose connected car app developers?
Look for a partner with proven automotive experience, preferably across OEM, Tier-1, and connected mobility projects. Assess their familiarity with standards such as ISO/SAE 21434, experience with IVI and Android Automotive platforms, OTA updates ecosystems, vehicle API integrations, and GDPR compliance. Flexible engagement models and the ability to collaborate with internal engineering teams are equally important.
Ready to build a connected car experience that fits your platform and users?
Define the right architecture and features for your connected vehicle app at our free consultation.
Natalia Minayeva
Strategic Partnerships
Executive
Executive