As tech giants Google, Apple and Microsoft all look to smarten up your car’s dashboard and entertainment system, the Linux Foundation has stepped into the scene with its own customizable, open-source alternative. Dubbed Automotive Grade Linux, this open software stack aims to become the standardized platform upon the future of in-car systems is built.

The project has the backing of a wide-ranging list of companies in the automotive industry, including Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota and Nissan; as well as technology companies such as Advanced Telematic Systems, Fujitsu, Harman, Intel, LG, NEC, Panasonic, and Samsung.

Rather than a complete production-ready system, AGL is only meant to lay the groundwork for car makers to build their own stuff on top of it. The platform is based on the Tizen In-Vehicle Infotainment Project, and includes software for climate control, maps, dashboard displays, media playback, a news reader (AppCarousel), smart device link integration, and more.

"This AGL release is a great step forward and the community is already looking to build on its work to address a number of additional capabilities and features in subsequent releases. With AGL at the core, the industry will be able to more rapidly innovate and evolve to meet customer needs," the Linux Foundation's general manager of automotive, Dan Cauchy, said in a statement.

The foundation shared a few shots of the interface on its Flickr page, though it may end up looking completely different from one car maker to another.

The first version of Automotive Grade Linux is available to download now. It’s worth noting that while many big auto makers seem to be backing the project, there’s no guarantee and no indication if and when we’ll see it in cars.