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At its recent developer conference, Google launched its Android Auto system

Android Auto allows drivers to access navigation, music and communications through voice commands and steering wheel controls.

Google has partnered with roughly 30 automotive manufacturers to bring the system to market, relieving carmakers of development costs associated with creating their own infotainment system back-ends. Apple's CarPlay system, meanwhile, will be available in many carmakers' 2015 models, among them Hyundai, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz.

Electric Automotive America wants to put in-home wireless networks on wheels with FLEXConnect, an information and entertainment audio-video bridging system.

The system includes 10-inch, 720-pixel screens for the front and rear passengers as well as a tablet remote control system. Passengers can share media including videos, games and photos from screen to screen. FLEXConnect is linked to the vehicle’s Ethernet network and supports Wi-Fi connectivity for multiple devices.

The front passenger can control content on the rear screens. Rear passengers can also be monitored from the front seat via cameras installed above each rear seat screen.

Nokia Oyj plans to spend $100 million backing companies that develop intelligent-car technologies, joining the likes of billionaire Elon Musk and Google Inc. in betting that future vehicles will be smarter and more connected.

Carmakers are introducing smarter dashboard navigation systems, adding features such as real-time traffic information and automated calls to emergency services in case of accident.

Toyota Motor Corp. said in October it will introduce systems in about two years that will enable cars to communicate with each other to avoid collisions.