source: work in the industry in this area.
Source: android auto data notice from the app
"Certain vehicle information (for example, headlights, parking brake, compass and gear) will be available to Android Auto-compatible apps to help customize the app experience, such as displaying different graphics for day and night, or setting screen interaction limits based on when you are driving. To learn more about a particular app developer's handling of data, please consult that app's documentation.
Google may access other data about your vehicle, such as the make, model, fuel level, wheel speed, odometer and gear, and whether the passenger seat is occupied. This data is not linked to your Google account and will be used in accordance with the Google Privacy Policy."
I've worked extensively on automotive sensors. You cannot obtain these without CAN bus access. This is just a subset of channels in their disclosure.
The IVI has access to CAN.
The specific sensor CAN messages, for example, can then be translated to any protocol and passed over an API to the phone from the infotainment device. The phone does not have access to CAN.
No car manufacturer would be crazy enough to allow a USB device direct access to a CAN network (unclear how you would even accomplish that electrically).
I never claimed the phone can connect to CAN.
[1] https://www.wired.com/2015/07/hackers-remotely-kill-jeep-hig...
If you want to learn more, please let me know.
Initially, you can check out the Android Auto wiki page: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Auto
"The most common way Android Auto is deployed is via an Android mobile device running the Android Auto app, acting as a master to a vehicle's dashboard head unit that supports this functionality.[2] Once the user's Android device is connected to the vehicle, the head unit will serve as an external display for the Android device, presenting supported software in a car-specific user interface provided by the Android Auto app.[2][3]"