Volvo Car Group is the first company to team up with Google on integrating an infotainment system powered by Android, with the Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store built-in. The two companies have been development partners for the past several years. The electric XC40 is also the first Volvo that will receive software and operating system updates over the air. The fully electric XC40 will keep evolving and improving over time, rather than it being at its peak when it leaves the factory.
Also read: 2019 Volvo XC40 Electric
The new infotainment system offers customers unprecedented personalization, improved levels of intuitiveness and new embedded Google technology and services. Its system offers full integration of Android Automotive OS, Google’s open-source Android platform, with real-time updates to services such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and automotive apps created by the global developer community.
Android Automotive OS is an Android operating system familiar to millions of developers, tailored to run in the car. Technology and services created by Google and Volvo Cars developers are embedded in the car, while additional music and media apps optimized and adapted for cars will be available through the Google Play Store.
The Google Assistant allows customers to get things done using just their voice for in-car functions such as controlling temperature, setting a destination, playing their favorite music and podcasts on apps such as Spotify, and keeping in touch by, for example, sending messages.
This integration contributes to reducing driver distraction, helping drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The Google Assistant also allows a driver to interact with smart-home devices from the car.
Google Maps will be able to provide refreshed map and traffic data in real-time, keeping drivers informed about upcoming traffic situations and proactively suggesting alternative routes, as well as suggesting the nearest charging station en route.
This same rich and fresh map data will be used to improve the capabilities of the XC40’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) by providing information such as speed limits and curves in the road to the car. The new infotainment system will be fully integrated with Volvo On Call, offering new features such as monitoring battery status and charging levels. Volvo On Call classics such as pre-heating your car on a cold winter’s day, finding your car in a large parking lot, remote locking and unlocking and car-sharing via a digital key is also included.
The fully electric XC40 will be first shown to the public on 16 October.
