Smartwatches are becoming a natural part of everyday life. From my experience, what started as fitness gadgets has evolved into an always-on, context-aware tool for health insights, payments, and seamless mobility. Automotive brands that want to lead the next wave of mobility can’t afford to ignore the wrist.
According to Eurostat’s 2024 Digitalisation in Europe report, nearly 30% of EU internet users already use a smartwatch or other wearable device. In countries such as the Netherlands, Ireland, and the Czech Republic, the share is close to one in two. So, it’s no surprise that forward-looking brands are finding new ways to connect with users at the right time and place.
Why Smartwatches Matter for Mobility
In our connected world, the wrist is becoming one of the most intuitive interfaces. Today’s users expect their digital lives to be seamlessly connected across smartphones, laptops, wearables, homes, and even their cars. Digital ecosystems, including super apps, have become the new normal for younger, mobile-native generations in all areas of their lives.
According to McKinsey, 95% of new vehicles sold by 2030 will be connected. Already today, 37% of customers would switch car brands for better connectivity (McKinsey). That leads me to a question:
“Is the Wear OS app a differentiator, or a must-have?”
Most major players already offer smartwatch integration – Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, BMW, Tesla, Ford, Škoda. In other words, it’s no longer a “nice-to-have”; it’s a baseline.
Škoda also recognised the potential of smartwatches, and I’m happy I could help bring their app to the wrist, making vehicle interaction faster and more intuitive.
Designing MyŠkoda for Wear OS
Knowing the MyŠkoda app very well, we helped Green:Code, the joint venture of Etnetera and Škoda Auto, bring the Wear OS app to life. We were building on what was already working in the app; we extended the existing modular mobile architecture with modular Wear OS support and created a seamless, intuitive experience on the wrist.
One of the biggest challenges we faced was making the experience feel natural and useful on a smartwatch, without overwhelming the user.
- What should appear on a tiny screen?
- How do we keep the app fast, responsive, and battery-friendly?
- And how do we ensure it works consistently across devices?
We kicked things off with a proof of concept to validate our assumptions around modular architecture and interaction design. We built the UI using components of the existing Design System, and Lighting Beetle studio helped us to optimise appearance on the tiny screen. We designed a solution that keeps the app responsive and battery-friendly while delivering the key interactions users need.
The result? A Wear OS version of MyŠkoda that lets users:
- Lock/unlock the vehicle
- Start/stop charging
- View real-time battery or fuel stats
We designed it to tightly integrate with the mobile app – shared login, unified notifications, and one connected experience.
In short, this is not just a smaller app, but a smarter extension of a well-designed mobility ecosystem.
Want to dive deeper into the technical details? I break it all down in this blog post.
Micro-Moments That Matter
Smartwatches can bridge the gap between the car, phone, and driver’s everyday life. Wear OS apps in mobility aren’t about replicating every feature. They’re about delivering value effortlessly at the right moment:
- You’re coming back from the supermarket, arms full of groceries, and your phone is buried under the cereal boxes. But you still need to unlock the car – smartwatch!
- You’re about to leave a meeting and want to cool down the vehicle – a quick tap on your wrist does the trick.
- Want to check if your EV is fully charged? No need to reach your phone.
- Or imagine getting a subtle wrist notification when charging finishes, or when your alarm is triggered.
These are the moments that build seamless experiences. And in a competitive market, they build loyalty.
It’s Time to Think Beyond the Phone
Smartwatches are no longer just an accessory. They’re becoming part of how people move, make decisions, and interact with brands.
For automotive companies, Wear OS isn’t about shrinking a mobile app onto a smaller screen. It’s about designing for real-world context: faster access, fewer distractions, and interactions that make sense in the moment.
And there is a clear demand, so companies can take the step, and get even closer to their customers – literally.
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