Honor Car Connect 3.0 Debuts on New Deepal S05

Changan and Honor Launch Joint Innovation Laboratory

On August 13, China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd. announced the official inauguration of the Joint Innovation Open Laboratory, jointly established by Chongqing Changan Automobile Company Limited and Honor Device Co Ltd. The collaboration also marks a significant step in smartphone-to-vehicle integration, with Changan Automobile becoming the first automaker in the industry authorized to conduct joint certification for Honor Car Connect, Honor’s smartphone-to-vehicle connectivity system. The initiative is intended to accelerate technology development and create new applications that connect smartphones and vehicles more closely, combining mobile-device capabilities with in-vehicle digital experiences.

Deepal S05 to Introduce Honor Car Connect 3.0

The new Deepal S05 will become the first production model to feature Honor Car Connect 3.0, bringing expanded smartphone projection and interaction capabilities to the vehicle. The system supports multiple projection modes, including smartphone screen mirroring and integrated app-list projection on the vehicle display. Users can switch between floating-window and full-screen modes according to the driving scenario, allowing navigation to remain visible in a floating window while driving. When the vehicle is parked, video applications can be switched to full-screen mode with a single tap, providing a more seamless way to bring smartphone content onto the vehicle display.

Cross-Device Voice Interaction Expands Connectivity

Beyond screen projection, the two companies have established a cross-device voice interaction and control link for the first time. Once the smartphone and vehicle are connected, users can activate the in-vehicle voice assistant and issue voice commands to control smartphone applications. This approach extends vehicle-based interaction beyond conventional infotainment functions by allowing selected smartphone capabilities to be accessed through the vehicle’s voice interface. The development reflects the broader direction of connected-car technology, where smartphones, vehicle displays and voice assistants increasingly operate as interconnected elements of a unified digital environment rather than as separate devices.

Technology Deployment Across Changan Models

The connectivity technology has already been deployed across 21 key models from Changan Automobile, demonstrating that the collaboration extends beyond a single vehicle launch. The companies plan to use the Joint Innovation Open Laboratory to investigate additional smartphone-vehicle integration scenarios and develop further applications. Their objective is to create a seamless and intelligent “third living space” inside the vehicle, positioning the automobile as an extension of the user’s digital environment. The strategy could support broader adoption of connected services by making smartphone applications, vehicle functions and digital interaction more closely integrated within everyday driving experiences.

Broader Implications for Connected Vehicles

The partnership between Changan and Honor highlights the growing importance of cross-device integration in the development of connected passenger vehicles in China. Rather than limiting connectivity to basic smartphone mirroring, the collaboration combines application projection, flexible display modes and voice-based control to create a more integrated user experience. The production introduction on the Deepal S05 also provides a practical pathway for these technologies to move from joint innovation into mass-market vehicle applications. Further development through the laboratory is expected to focus on additional use cases that can strengthen interaction between mobile devices and intelligent vehicle systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Honor Car Connect 3.0?
Honor Car Connect 3.0 is a smartphone-to-vehicle connectivity system being introduced on the new Deepal S05 through the Changan-Honor collaboration. It supports smartphone screen mirroring, integrated application-list projection, floating-window and full-screen display modes, and cross-device voice interaction. The system allows users to access selected smartphone applications through the vehicle display and control them using the in-vehicle voice assistant after the devices are connected. Changan and Honor plan to explore additional smartphone-vehicle integration applications through their Joint Innovation Open Laboratory.