Parrot Automotive
{{Short description|French automobile technology company}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = 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 = {{URL|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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bluetooth.com/membership-working-groups/member-directory/?q=parrot|title=Member Directory {{!}} Bluetooth Technology Website|last=Bluetooth|website=www.bluetooth.com|access-date=2016-07-11}} Parrot originally stepped into the automotive business in the 2000s, with aftermarket Bluetooth hands free car kits{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2006/09/12/parrot-nomad-bluetooth-speakerphone/|title=Parrot MINIKIT Bluetooth Speakerphone|last=Robinson|first=Gavin|date=2006-09-12|website=TechCrunch|publisher=|access-date=2016-07-11}} and car radios.{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/304175/parrot-rk8200-bluetooth-car-stereo-ditches-the-cd|title=Parrot RK8200 Bluetooth Car Stereo Ditches the CD|last=Lam|first=Brian|date=2007-09-27|website=Gizmodo|publisher=|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-11}} In 2011, at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show, the company introduced the first Android-based car radio.{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/01/04/parrot-asteroid-car-receiver-packs-android-and-apps-into-your-da/|title=Parrot Asteroid car receiver packs Android and apps into your dash|last=Miller|first=Paul|date=2011-01-04|website=Engadget|publisher=|access-date=2016-07-11}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/10/parrot-asteroid-smart/|title=Hands-On With Parrot's Latest (And Maybe Greatest) Android-Powered Head Unit|last=Lavrinc|first=Damon|date=2012-10-03|magazine=Wired|publisher=|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-11}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/1/4/7491577/parrot-rnb6-smartcar-screen-apple-carplay-android-auto-ces-2015|title=Parrot's new dashboard turns your old clunker into a smart car|last=Popper|first=Ben|date=2015-01-05|website=The Verge|access-date=2016-07-11}} The Simple Box, introduced at CES 2016,{{Cite web|url=http://start.lesechos.fr/entreprendre/actu-startup/les-startups-francaises-laureates-du-ces-2016-sont-3598.php|title=Les startups françaises lauréates du CES 2016 sont …|last=Spaeth|first=Alexandre|date=2016-01-11|website=Les Échos|publisher=|language=fr-FR|access-date=2016-07-11}} 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,{{Cite web|url=http://9to5google.com/2014/06/25/open-automotive-alliance-partners-new-old-confirm-android-auto-support-aftermarket-solutions/|title=Open Automotive Alliance partners new & old confirm Android Auto support, aftermarket solutions|last=Kahn|first=Jordan|date=2014-06-25|website=9to5Google|access-date=2016-07-11}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/05/10/globe-newswire-parrot-unveils-its-latest-sdr-chip-o3-worldwide-radio-reception-combined-with-parrot-connectivity-solutions.html|title=Parrot unveils its latest SDR chip "O3+"…|last=Globe Newswire|date=2016-05-10|website=CNBC|access-date=2019-01-15}}
In March 2017, Faurecia starts the acquisition project for Parrot Automotive.{{Cite web|url=http://www.faurecia.com/en/newsroom/faurecia-finalizes-its-partnership-parrot-automotive-and-accelerates-development-connectivity-solutions-vehicle-future|title=Faurecia finalizes its partnership with Parrot Automotive …|last=Faurecia Website|date=2017-03-27|website=Faurecia|access-date=2019-01-15}} The company is renamed Parrot Faurecia Automotive.
On October 1, 2018, Faurecia completes the acquisition of 100% of Parrot Faurecia Automotive{{Cite web|url=http://www.faurecia.com/en/newsroom/faurecia-completes-purchase-parrot-faurecia-automotive|title=Faurecia completes purchase of Parrot Faurecia Automotive|last=Faurecia Website|date=2018-10-01|website=Faurecia|access-date=2019-01-15}}
Parrot Automotive's customers include car makers such as McLaren,{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/09/mclaren-android/|title=The McLaren Supercar Gets a Slick Android Infotainment System|last=Lavrinc|first=Damon|date=2013-09-03|magazine=Wired|publisher=|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-11}} Volvo Cars,{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/parrots-asteroid-app-platform-lands-in-volvo-dashboards/|title=Parrot's Asteroid app platform lands in Volvo dashboards - Roadshow|last=Goodwin|first=Antuan|date=2013-03-08|website=Roadshow|publisher=|access-date=2016-07-11}} and Honda.