AirConsole partners Zeekr for in-car gaming in Europe

AirConsole has partnered with Zeekr to bring its in-car gaming platform to the carmaker's vehicles, marking its first partnership within the Geely Auto Group.

The companies are demonstrating the partnership in Zeekr vehicles with PAC-MAN Championship Edition integrated into the in-car system. Visitors can use smartphones as controllers by scanning a QR code, while the vehicle's ambient lighting responds to gameplay.

The agreement expands AirConsole's reach in the automotive sector as carmakers add more entertainment services to their software platforms. The service will be included in select Zeekr models through the Zeekr Connected Premium package.

Zeekr is one of Geely's newer global brands and has been expanding in Europe. For AirConsole, the deal opens a route into a major Chinese automotive group, following existing agreements with BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Škoda and Tata Motors.

AirConsole is developed by Swiss company N-Dream, which focuses on games designed for use inside cars. Its approach lets passengers use their phones instead of dedicated controllers, avoiding extra hardware in the vehicle.

The first title highlighted in the Zeekr tie-up is PAC-MAN Championship Edition, offered through AirConsole's collaboration with Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game appears on the vehicle's infotainment screen, with cabin lighting linked to the on-screen action.

This lighting feature shows how in-car entertainment is moving beyond simple screen-based content. Carmakers and software providers are increasingly linking media services with other parts of the cabin, including sound and lighting, to make use of the growing computing power in newer vehicles.

Zeekr has presented the gaming set-up in its 7GT infotainment system. The brand used the showcase alongside its broader European vehicle line-up, which includes the 9X, 7X, X, 001 and 7GT.

N-Dream said its platform is already installed in more than 5 million vehicles worldwide through agreements with several manufacturers. Adding Zeekr gives it an entry point into the Geely organisation, one of China's largest car groups, as competition intensifies among software platforms seeking space in dashboard systems.

European push

The partnership also reflects Zeekr's effort to distinguish its offer in Europe through software and digital services rather than hardware alone. European buyers are becoming more familiar with over-the-air updates, app-based services and subscription packages, making infotainment a more important part of vehicle sales.

Zeekr has built a presence across a wide range of European markets while relying on Geely's broader engineering and research footprint. Its European operations are supported by research and development centres in Sweden, Germany and the UK, as well as a design studio in Gothenburg.

For AirConsole, the significance lies not only in adding another customer but also in reaching a group whose brands have expanded their international presence. Geely controls multiple automotive marques, and the Zeekr partnership could give AirConsole a foothold in a larger ecosystem if in-car gaming gains consumer interest.

Anthony Cliquot, Chief Executive Officer of N-Dream, said the agreement reflects changing priorities among newer car brands. "Zeekr moves fast and this makes it a natural fit for AirConsole. As our first partnership within Geely Auto Group, it's also a sign of where we see the next wave of in-car entertainment coming from: a new generation of automakers treating infotainment and in-car technology as a core part of the driving experience," Cliquot said.

Lothar Schupet, Chief Executive Officer of Zeekr Europe, said the company sees gaming as part of a broader connected car offering. "Our partnership with AirConsole gives us an opportunity to explore how gaming can become part of the connected in-car experience. We are looking forward to giving Paris Motor Show visitors a first-hand look at what that can mean for time spent in our premium vehicles," Schupet said.

The service will roll out in select Zeekr models as part of the Zeekr Connected Premium package before the end of 2026.