As in-car entertainment becomes increasingly sophisticated, Dolby continues to expand its presence in the automotive world. With the growing adoption of Dolby Atmos and the first deployments of Dolby Vision, in-car equipment is taking sound and picture quality to a new level. How do these technologies transform the experience of drivers and passengers?
A milestone for Dolby Atmos in vehicles
The Dolby Atmos immersive audio system is making great strides in the automotive world. In 2025, more than 30 car brands have integrated, or announced the integration of, this technology into their vehicles. This figure is double that of the previous year, proof of widespread adoption. Among the European manufacturers concerned are the prestigious Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Porsche brands.
Dolby Atmos spatialized sound is no longer reserved for exceptional models. Mercedes-Benz has extended its integration to its entire range, while other brands such as Mahindra (Thar ROXX and 3XO), Onvo (i60) and NIO (Firefly) also offer this technology in more accessible vehicles. This democratization of immersive sound shows that the high-end audio experience is gradually becoming a standard, rather than a luxury.
Dolby Vision enters the race
After sound, it’s now the turn of picture quality to enjoy a major technological advance. Dolby Vision, previously reserved for televisions, projectors, and streaming platforms, is now coming to vehicles. This technology optimizes visual rendering by offering high dynamic range (HDR) and enhanced color richness, thanks to frame-by-frame dynamic analysis.
An automotive-specific feature called Dolby Vision Light Sense adapts the image to ambient light in real time. Whether the vehicle is in direct sunlight or in a tunnel, image quality remains constant and precise.
A growing catalog of content
The user experience is not limited to in-car technology: audio content is also following this trend. Amazon Music and Audible now offer Dolby Atmos tracks in selected cars, including Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Polestar and Volvo Cars. This applies to both music and other audio content, such as audio books. This distribution is supported by platforms such as the Faurecia App Store, the Google Automotive App Store and Harman Ignite, which facilitate the integration of content into in-car systems.
Other players in the tech market present innovative uses for Dolby Atmos. Holoride, in partnership with Dolby, offers a geospatial acoustic experience inside a Polestar 3. The sound reacts to the car’s movements and its external environment, for sound immersion that evolves in real time.
In addition, 3SS has unveiled its 3Ready Automotive platform. The latter offers tailor-made entertainment, with a customizable interface for each manufacturer, advanced content management and monetization tools adapted to software-defined vehicles.
Mobilizing an entire tech sector
The Dolby in-car ecosystem also relies on specialized industrial partners. Last September, at the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, several partners showcased their expertise.
Arkamys optimizes acoustics inside car cabins, while Cinemo offers seamless connectivity between devices and on-board VOD services.
For its part, Dirac organized personalized, seat-specific listening demonstrations, in an iconic Munich studio. For their part, the duo formed by Qualcomm and Dolby published a whitepaper detailing the optimal implementation of Dolby Atmos on Snapdragon Cockpit platforms.
As Javier Foncillas, Dolby’s Vice President of Business Partnerships and Global Sales, points out, “We are committed to further expanding our collaboration with partners in the automotive industry and streaming services to offer car owners a wide range of entertainment options that provide them with the same high quality they are accustomed to at home or on the road.”
Summary
Dolby confirms its presence in the automobile industry with a strategy focused on making its flagship technologies, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, more accessible. Immersive sound is available in an ever wider range of vehicles, while HDR picture is making an appearance in car cabins. Supported by numerous industrial partners and content providers, the Dolby ecosystem is taking root in next-generation connected vehicles. These innovations reinforce the idea that the in-car multimedia experience is now an important criterion for drivers and passengers alike.
