GM Launches App Development Kit

General Motors Co. is introducing a development kit that makes it easier for software developers to create future vehicle apps.

The so-called next-generation infotainment software development kit (NGI SDK) gives developers remote access to nearly 400 vehicle data points, which GM says is more than eight times as many as any other carmaker. This will allow developers to quickly simulate and conduct tests under a variety of real-world conditions without having to come to a GM facility.

Among the available data will be vehicle speed, trip odometers, presence of passengers, outside temperature and whether a window is open or closed. Users also can tap into maintenance information and simulate shift mode, cruise control, road type and optional equipment such as backup cameras and trailer light status.

The SDK allows apps to be tested using HTML5 and JavaScript, running off of Node.js. This would allow developers to create apps ready for testing in as little as a week, according to GM.

GM says data usage in its vehicles nearly tripled last year, and mobile app use for GM vehicles hit a record 225 million interactions in 2016.