Cinemo’s CARS™ Connect Direct Wins 2025 “Automotive Infotainment Solution of the Year,” Redefining the Passenger Experience
Cinemo, a globally recognized pioneer in digital media and connectivity solutions for the automotive sector, has added yet another milestone to its journey of innovation. The company announced that its groundbreaking solution, CARS™ Connect Direct, has been awarded “Automotive Infotainment Solution of the Year” at the 2025 AutoTech Breakthrough Awards.
The recognition comes from AutoTech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform that evaluates the most innovative technologies transforming mobility. Now in its sixth year, the program celebrates cutting-edge achievements spanning autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, electrification, vehicle cybersecurity, telematics, and connected cockpit technology.
This year’s awards drew thousands of nominations from more than 15 countries, reflecting the booming pace of digitalization across the automotive industry. Against this competitive backdrop, Cinemo’s CARS™ Connect Direct stood out as a solution that not only enhances convenience but also reimagines the role of smartphones in the in-car ecosystem.
A Seamless Bridge Between Personal Devices and the Vehicle Cabin
Traditionally, automotive infotainment systems have suffered from one major flaw: they lag behind consumer technology. While smartphone interfaces evolve at breathtaking speed, car dashboards remain static for years after production. This mismatch often frustrates drivers and passengers who expect the same responsiveness, personalization, and entertainment quality they enjoy on their phones.
Cinemo tackles this gap head-on.
CARS™ Connect Direct enables instant pairing between a passenger’s personal device and the vehicle’s infotainment system — using nothing more than a single QR scan. Unlike legacy systems that require Bluetooth pairing, app downloads, or dedicated interfaces, this solution embraces zero-effort onboarding. Within seconds, users can take full control of multiple in-car functions right from their smartphone or tablet.
All of this works without requiring any app installation, reducing friction for users while easing implementation for OEMs.
Designed for the Passenger Economy — but Beneficial Across the Cabin
Although marketed largely as an entertainment solution, CARS™ Connect Direct is more than just a leisure platform. It’s designed with commercial viability in mind for automotive manufacturers navigating an era where cars are no longer just machines — they’re digital platforms.
By enabling device-driven control, the system helps OEMs:
- Reduce software development overhead — No need to build native infotainment apps or license expensive third-party ecosystems.
- Boost user satisfaction and retention — Especially in rideshare fleets, electric robotaxis, or family-oriented SUVs where rear-seat passengers demand control.
- Enhance safety — By offloading routine interactions to passengers, drivers stay focused on the road.
This shift aligns with the growing “Passenger Economy”, a market estimated by analysts to exceed $800 billion by 2030, driven by infotainment services, connectivity subscriptions, and cabin experiences.
Cinemo’s Vision: Turning Every Car Into a Collaborative Digital Space
“We’re honored to receive this recognition from AutoTech Breakthrough for our efforts to elevate the user experience of AAOS-based infotainment systems,” said Abe Silhan, Director of Portfolio Management at Cinemo. “CARS™ Connect Direct reflects our belief that vehicles should be interactive environments, not static screens — and passengers should play an active role in shaping the drive.”
Silhan’s reference to AAOS (Android Automotive OS) highlights Cinemo’s role as a bridge between Google-powered dashboards and everyday mobile devices. Rather than competing with standard smartphone integration tools like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, CARS™ Connect Direct complements them — particularly for rear-seat passengers and non-drivers, an often-ignored demographic in automotive UX design.
Industry Leaders Applaud Cinemo’s Disruptive Approach
AutoTech Breakthrough’s Managing Director Bryan Vaughn emphasized why the jury selected Cinemo’s platform.
The smartphone has become an essential part of the modern vehicle experience. With CARS™ Connect Direct, Cinemo transforms infotainment — making onboarding easy and turning every drive into an engaging entertainment experience. It minimizes driver distraction, reduces OEM complexity, and redefines how mobility and media converge.”
His comments reflect a growing reality: the in-car experience is no longer limited to the dashboard. With electrification, autonomy, and AI accelerating cockpit evolution, cabin space is shifting from “command center” to “shared digital living room.” Cinemo’s win validates this paradigm shift.
What’s Next for Cinemo?
With this award, Cinemo cements itself among the top-tier innovators driving vehicle software transformation. Already trusted by several global automakers and Tier-1 suppliers, the company is expected to scale CARS™ Connect Direct across multiple production vehicles, mobility fleets, and next-generation concept cars in the coming year.
Industry observers anticipate further integrations — including voice assistants, AI personalization, and cross-device gaming networks — that could evolve cars into true multi-user platforms.
Final Takeaway
In an automotive world racing toward connected, autonomous, and experience-centric mobility, the winners will be those who master seamless human-device interaction.
Cinemo’s CARS™ Connect Direct does exactly that.
It replaces friction with fluidity.
It turns passengers into co-pilots.
And it proves that the future of in-car innovation isn’t just about horsepower — it’s about human power.
Congratulations to Cinemo on being named “Automotive Infotainment Solution of the Year” — a well-deserved win for a company accelerating the evolution of digital mobility.
