N-Dream AG (AirConsole)

What N-Dream AG (AirConsole) does

N-Dream AG is a Zurich-based software company that develops AirConsole, an in-car gaming platform that transforms vehicle infotainment systems into multiplayer gaming stations using passengers' smartphones as wireless controllers via QR-code pairing. The proprietary dual-screen architecture runs games locally on vehicle hardware (no cloud streaming) with the smartphone acting as a private controller and the vehicle display showing shared gameplay; multiplayer sessions support up to eight players and integrate with vehicle audio, lighting, and OEM-specific features such as Audi's Active Privacy Mode. Founded in 2015 as a web and TV gaming platform with a 20,000-developer community and 200+ games, N-Dream pivoted to automotive in 2022 with BMW and has since deployed AirConsole across BMW, MINI, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Škoda — covering more than 3 million production vehicles and 10 million players worldwide. The company monetizes through OEM licensing and platform fees (with consumer subscription tiers for non-automotive channels), is TISAX certified, and has expanded into adjacent products including Mapplets (context-aware in-cabin services) and Experience Unit (HMI consulting for OEMs). Since October 2025, KPIT Technologies has held a ~90% majority stake, providing global automotive distribution reach including China and Japan, while N-Dream continues to operate as an independent entity within KPIT Group.

Name

N-Dream AG (AirConsole)

Legal name

N-Dream AG

Website

https://n-dream.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

N-Dream AG builds AirConsole, an in-car multiplayer gaming platform embedded in vehicle infotainment systems across BMW, MINI, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Škoda, using smartphones as wireless controllers via QR-code pairing. The Zurich-based firm licenses its platform to automotive OEMs and operates as a ~90%-owned KPIT Technologies subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. OEM Licensing and Platform Fees: N-Dream generates revenue through licensing agreements with automotive OEMs who integrate AirConsole into their vehicle infotainment systems. OEMs pay for the right to embed the platform and offer it to their customers, often as part of connected vehicle packages (e.g., BMW Digital Premium, MINI Connected Package, VW Connect Plus).
2. Strategic Investment from KPIT Technologies: KPIT Technologies initially made a strategic investment in N-Dream in December 2023 to support scaling AirConsole globally. This was followed by acquiring a majority stake (approximately 90%) in October 2025, effectively making N-Dream a controlled subsidiary of KPIT while maintaining independent operations.
3. Consumer Subscription Services: AirConsole offers various pricing models for content consumption including monthly payment models and one-year in advance payment models. Prices are displayed on www.airconsole.com and the AirConsole App at time of order. Terms include unlimited term subject to termination, monthly term with automatic renewal, or yearly term with automatic renewal requiring termination at least 2 months before expiry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

N-Dream AG develops AirConsole, the world's first in-car gaming platform that runs directly on vehicle infotainment systems, transforming cars into multiplayer gaming stations by using passengers' smartphones as game controllers via QR code scan-and-play pairing. The company licenses this platform to automotive OEMs (BMW, MINI, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Škoda) bundled with connected vehicle packages, and also offers Experience Unit, an HMI consulting service for intelligent cockpit experiences.

Product overview

N-Dream AG operates as an in-car experience company with AirConsole as its core product — the world's first in-car gaming platform that transforms vehicle infotainment systems into gaming stations using smartphones as controllers. The product portfolio includes Mapplets (context-aware in-car services) and the Experience Unit (HMI consulting services). AirConsole is available across BMW, MINI, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Škoda vehicles, with over 3 million production vehicles deployed and 10 million+ players worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AirConsole: World's first in-car gaming platform that transforms vehicle infotainment systems into gaming stations using smartphones as controllers.
• Mapplets
• Experience Unit

Products and services

• AirConsole The world's first in-car gaming platform that transforms vehicle infotainment systems into fully featured gaming stations. Passengers use their smartphones as game controllers by scanning a QR code displayed on the vehicle screen, enabling multiplayer casual gaming on the car's display, sound, and lighting systems. Licensed to automotive OEMs including BMW, MINI, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Škoda, and deployed in over 3 million production vehicles worldwide.
• Experience Unit HMI consulting service that helps automotive OEM teams define and develop intelligent cockpit experiences. The offering bridges UX vision with automotive engineering to design integrated solutions for software-defined vehicle platforms across concept, prototype, and production phases, sold to OEM product, connected company, and engineering divisions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3M+ production vehicles deployed with AirConsole across 6 automotive brands
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered secondary, core and minor.

• Bandai Namco EntertainmentsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2026Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles partnered with N-Dream and Bandai Namco to bring Pac-Man Championship Edition to ID. Buzz. Special Pac-Man decorated ID. Buzz showcased at MCM Comic Con London to celebrate Pac-Man's 45th birthday.
• Škoda AutosecondaryOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 12 February 2026Škoda partnered with AirConsole for electric vehicles including Enyaq and Elroq. Features Škoda-exclusive Tetris for six months. Access through Media Streaming package supporting up to five players in EU countries.
• PorschecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 29 October 2025AirConsole launched in new Porsche Macan with 14 casual multiplayer games. Players connect via QR code scanning with smartphones as controllers. Supports both parked and moving scenarios with privacy technology for driver safety.
• AtarisecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2025AirConsole partnered with Atari to bring classic arcade titles Asteroids: Recharged and Breakout: Recharged to supported Volkswagen vehicles. First time Atari games are playable in cars through infotainment system using smartphones as controllers. Missile Command: Recharged also planned for later release.
• Audi AGcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 26 June 2025Audi integrated AirConsole into selected vehicles including A5, Q5, A6, A6 e-tron, and Q6 e-tron with Android-based infotainment. Features Audi's Active Privacy Mode allowing front passenger gaming during vehicle motion. Includes Mattel's Pictionary Car Party as exclusive title.
• Team17minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025Team17 partnered with AirConsole to bring Overcooked to the in-car gaming platform, available in Audi vehicles as part of the AirConsole catalog alongside racing, sports, trivia, and party games.
• EtermaxsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2024AirConsole partnered with Etermax to debut Trivia Crack for in-car play in Volkswagen vehicles. Game adapted by Play.Works using AirConsole's dual-screen technology with Classic Mode, Challenge Mode, and Party Mode supporting up to 5 players in six languages.
• Volkswagen AGcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 28 August 2024Volkswagen partnered with AirConsole to bring in-car gaming to ID.7 Tourer and expanding across ID., Golf, Passat, and Tiguan models. Also expanded to commercial vehicles including ID. Buzz, Multivan, Caddy, Crafter, and California. Games available through VW In-Car Shop for vehicles with VW Connect Plus. Launch includes Trivia Crack as debut title with Pac-Man and Atari games added subsequently.
• MattelsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 August 2024Mattel partnered with AirConsole and BMW to launch UNO Car Party in over 500,000 BMW and MINI vehicles. Also developed Pictionary Car Party for Audi and Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive exclusive for BMW with Japan Mobility Show announcement.
• Sony Pictures TelevisionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2024Sony Pictures Television partnered with AirConsole to launch Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in BMW vehicles. Features smartphone controllers with text-to-speech technology that reads questions aloud and personalizes gameplay by recognizing player names. Available in BMW and MINI vehicles.
• BMW GroupcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 11 October 2022BMW Group partnered with AirConsole via BMW Startup Garage program to bring casual gaming to new BMW vehicles starting 2023. AirConsole integrates with BMW Curved Display, running games directly on the vehicle entertainment system. Available in BMW and MINI models with Operating System 9 (BMW Digital Premium/MINI Connected Package) and OS 8.5 (BMW ConnectedDrive Professional). Partnership has expanded to include exclusive titles like UNO Car Party and Hot Wheels: Xtreme Overdrive.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tesla: Tesla Arcade offers built-in in-car gaming on vehicle infotainment screens with wireless controller support. Tesla is the most prominent example of in-house in-car gaming, making it the closest direct comparable to AirConsole's gaming platform model.

Others

• Unity Software: Unity's real-time 3D engine is increasingly used for automotive HMI and in-vehicle gaming experiences. As an enabling technology provider, Unity competes for the same OEM design wins at the platform/technology layer rather than as a consumer-facing app.
• Epic Games (Unreal Engine): Epic Games' Unreal Engine powers in-vehicle HMI experiences and visualizations for several automotive OEMs. It is an enabling technology competitor for automotive cockpit software development.

Emerging players

• Sony Honda Mobility (AFEELA): Sony Honda Mobility's AFEELA brand explicitly emphasizes in-cabin entertainment and gaming as core to the vehicle experience, leveraging Sony's gaming and content IP. It is an emerging player directly targeting the same in-car entertainment use case as AirConsole.
• Rivian: Rivian has begun integrating entertainment features including games into its vehicles' infotainment systems. As an emerging EV OEM, Rivian represents both a potential customer and a potential direct competitor building its own entertainment platform.

Broad incumbents

• Harman (Samsung): Harman, a Samsung subsidiary, supplies automotive infotainment and connected vehicle software to many OEMs. It is a broad incumbent in the cockpit software market where AirConsole operates, and could expand into entertainment applications.
• Apple (CarPlay): Apple CarPlay is a primary consumer in-car experience layer on many of the same vehicles using AirConsole. Apple's evolving CarPlay strategy and potential gaming/content initiatives make it a key adjacent player in the in-cabin experience market.
• Stellantis: Stellantis brands (Jeep, Ram, Chrysler) have explored in-cabin entertainment features including gaming on Stellantis STLA platforms. As a multi-brand global incumbent, Stellantis represents both a potential customer and a potential in-housing competitor to AirConsole.
• Mercedes-Benz AG: Mercedes-Benz's MBUX infotainment system supports third-party apps and entertainment experiences, and the OEM has explored in-car gaming. As a premium incumbent with strong software ambitions, Mercedes is a comparable OEM-scale peer.
• Google (Android Automotive): Google's Android Automotive OS powers many of the same infotainment systems where AirConsole is deployed (e.g., Audi). As the underlying platform provider, Google is both an enabler and a potential competitor with its own app and gaming ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ndream
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/AirConsole
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/n-dream-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/airconsole
• TikToktiktok.com/@airconsoleoriginal

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about N-Dream AG (AirConsole)