In a rapidly evolving automotive landscape, the future of radio in connected cars was again on the agenda at Radiodays Asia 2025 in Jakarta.
The session, hosted by Radioplayer and RadioDNS, featured insights from Nick Piggott, Project Director at RadioDNS and Laurence Harrison, Chief Partnerships Officer at Radioplayer Worldwide. Both speakers emphasized the importance of hybrid radio solutions and technology to ensure radio remains a prominent feature in vehicles.
Nick Piggott opened the session by highlighting the mission of RadioDNS: “Our aim is to deliver audio over broadcast and enhance radio by using IP in parallel. Using IP to complement broadcast is key to our strategy.” He stressed the ambition to create open standards for hybrid radio, ensuring radio’s prominence in vehicles globally. “The job of RadioDNS is to standardize radio technology worldwide.”
RadioDNS’ aim is to create the technical standards to allow the combination of IP and radio to create an experience superior to either medium in isolation. He also touched on the importance of voice control in vehicles, noting that touch screens are not an ideal interface for drivers.
“Voice assistants need to understand what the driver is asking for, so the technical standards are important for the technology to understand all the names of your radio stations,” Piggott explained.
Laurence Harrison gave a perspective on the current state of radio listening in Asia, noting that “40-50% of radio listening in Asia is done in the car.” He described Radioplayer as a service and technology provider working with broadcasters and car companies to enhance the in-car radio experience. “Our job is to work with broadcasters and partner with car companies to create a better radio experience in the car,” he said.
Harrison emphasized the competitive nature of the modern car dashboard, where radio now contends with numerous other media options for the driver’s attention.
“Radio now needs to look good as well as sound good. If we don’t, radio could become invisible in new cars and may lose ground,” he warned. However, he expressed optimism about radio’s potential to retain its prominence through Radioplayer’s innovative solutions. “Radio can look amazing and retain prominence via Radioplayer.”
Radioplayer’s focus is on building a user experience through collaboration with radio companies and car manufacturers. Harrison highlighted the partnerships Radioplayer has established with 17 car maker brands, with more to come.
The session concluded with a call to action for broadcasters to embrace hybrid radio solutions and collaborate with technology providers to secure radio’s future in the connected car. The integration of IP and broadcast, along with a focus on user experience and technical standards, will be crucial in ensuring that radio remains a vital part of the in-car entertainment landscape.