IVI

IVI is an acronym with multiple meanings, used in different technology contexts. It most commonly denotes two separate domains: automotive in-vehicle infotainment and interoperability-oriented instrumentation software.

In-Vehicle Infotainment: IVI refers to the integrated information and entertainment systems installed in cars, combining navigation, media playback, communications, voice control, apps, and access to vehicle data. It covers both the hardware—the head unit, displays, processors, and connectivity modules—and the software stack that delivers a unified user experience. Industry groups have promoted standardized interfaces and middleware to improve interoperability across platforms, with Linux-based stacks and Android Automotive OS being prominent examples. Initiatives such as the GENIVI Alliance, Automotive Grade Linux, and related consortia have sought to harmonize APIs, services, and development tools to accelerate app ecosystems and safer, more maintainable interfaces. Typical features include navigation, multimedia playback, hands-free calling, smartphone integration, vehicle settings, and telematics. IVI deployments must balance usability, safety, privacy, and over-the-air updates across multiple vehicle domains.

Interchangeable Virtual Instrumentation: IVI also designates Interchangeable Virtual Instrumentation, a standardization effort for test instrumentation software. The IVI Foundation promotes common APIs and a driver architecture to enable instrument software to work with hardware from multiple vendors without rewriting code. API families such as IVI-C and IVI-COM provide language bindings, while instrument drivers implement a standardized interface that wraps vendor-specific communication. Benefits include software reusability, easier instrument replacement, and reduced development time for automated test systems. The standard is widely used in education, research, and manufacturing for devices such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and waveform generators.