Portrait reference design overview

The portrait reference design gives drivers easy access to controls and apps in the infotainment system from a convenient, map-based Home screen.

Car dashboard with portrait-format screen showing reference design

The portrait reference design is a reference system UI built on Android Automotive OS (AAOS) and optimized for portrait displays. Available in Android 14 or later, it's one of 2 fully-built, customizable reference designs in AAOS. (For a comparison of the 2 designs, see Choose a reference design.)

The portrait reference design helps car makers to:

Enable multitasking: Drivers can see and perform several tasks with minimal distraction on large touchscreen portrait displays.
Increase usability: Commonly used functionality is placed near the driver, with consideration for reach curves and physical anchoring.
Prioritize navigation: Drivers can view and access navigation apps on the Home screen at all times.
Ensure access to key controls: Frequently used controls, such as media, system navigation, and the readily available navigation app are always available on the Home screen to minimize driver distraction.