Besides the Smart Eye occupant monitoring system that Polestar will be installing in its Polestar 3 SUV model, the carmaker will also have enhancements and developments in its other models soon. These new features are being showcased by Google at CES 2023 in Las Vegas this weekend.
The developments include Google’s new HD map, and the roll-out of remote actions for Polestar 2. “These developments are the direct result of our strong relationship with Google and show the advantages of integrating the innovative Android Automotive OS in our cars,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar’s CEO.
Ever since the radio could be installed in a car, entertainment while motoring has been constantly evolving in tandem with the technologies of different decades. What used to be audio systems before are now called infotainment systems – providing a combination of information and entertainment of different kinds.
In the old days, a radio in the car was the only form of entertainment on a long journey.
In time, we’ll be travelling in cars that can operate on their own, driving safely to wherever we want to go. Without the need to control the car or even pay attention to the road ahead, the driver will have more time to do other things – read a book, watch a movie, listen to music or even play videogames. Such a scenario means that infotainment systems in cars will have to change and provide even more features and capabilities.
Volvo is already starting on this evolution and is developing next-generation infotainment systems that can be offered in the near future. For example, using Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms takes the carmaker’s Google Android Automotive-based infotainment system to the next level. By leveraging Volvo Cars’ and technology firm Qualcomm’s in-house R&D competence, the companies will improve the overall capability of Volvos powered by Google Android to become faster and more responsive.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms is designed to be a central hub for high-performance computing. It is capable of fulfilling highly demanding graphics, audio and artificial intelligence requirements in the forthcoming Polestar 3 SUV and Volvo Cars’ upcoming fully electric SUV, all while having a very low power consumption. Using the latest Snapdragon Automotive Platforms, the next generation infotainment system will be more than twice as fast, while graphics generation will be up to 10 times faster.
The continued partnership between Volvo Cars and Google will also see Volvo being the first carmaker to directly integrate its cars with Google Assistant-enabled devices. This integration basically turns cars into smart devices.
This planned direct integration allows for a seamless connection between Google Assistant and cars to date, letting Volvo drivers control functions in their car by issuing voice commands to Google Assistant-enabled home and mobile devices. By pairing their car with their Google account, drivers can directly talk to Google in their car and remotely control a variety of functionalities, such as cooling it down on a hot day or just locking the doors in case they forgot to do so.
“Volvo Car Group was first to introduce Google technology and services in our cars and we are now looking to be the first to integrate fully with Google Assistant-enabled devices – it is a natural next step in our partnership with Google,” said Henrik Green, Chief Product Officer at Volvo Cars. “This integration allows us to improve the customer experience immensely, as it gives customers the possibility to easily and securely manage their car while at home or on the go, through any personal device that has Google Assistant.”
Finally, YouTube video playback will also come to all Volvo cars with Google built-in. YouTube will be the first video platform to be featured and available for download in Volvo cars on Google Play. This is the beginning of enabling video streaming in cars. Volvo is providing YouTube video as an enjoyable way to pass the time during stop with an EV to recharge. However, mindful of safety, videos will be allowed to be played only when the car is fully stationary.
“Allowing our customers to watch videos while charging or when waiting to pick up their children from school is part of our promise to make their lives better and more enjoyable,” said Green. “With YouTube and other major streaming services coming soon, our customers can enjoy their charging break instead of seeing it as just a hassle – making electric car ownership that bit easier.”
“The car is a great venue for enjoying video and audio, so I would not be surprised if this means that people spend more time in their Volvos, even when they are not going anywhere!” added Green.
Volvo Car Malaysia has updated its XC60 and apart from cosmetic changes and added safety features, the significant new feature is integration with Google Services. This is the outcome of the partnership between the Swedish carmaker and Google which sees a first-of-its-kind built-in infotainment system complete with a host of Google Services.
Volvo Cars is the first company to team up with Google to integrate an infotainment system powered by Android with Google apps and services such as Google Assistant built in. This means that Volvo drivers can get the same sort of apps that they have on an Android smartphone integrated with their infotainment system and use voice commands to manage and operate them.
Of course, there is now also Android Auto which can mirror apps from a compatible smartphone onto infotainment systems but having the apps and services as part of the system is even better.
Additionally, with the Volvo Car App and Connected Services, the driver can be easily connected to the XC60 using a mobile device. This enables convenient remote control of several functions, eg cooling down the cabin by starting the air-conditioner, checking vehicle status, locking/unlocking the doors, etc.
Referring to the latest model as ‘The Smarter XC60’, Charles Frump, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, said that with Google Services, customers can get the most intuitive infotainment experience in the automotive industry. “It fully delivers on our brand promise to provide the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way,” he said.
The latest XC60, priced from RM325,449 (without insurance and sales tax), has a new grille, new front bumpers and a new exterior colour. For the Recharge T8 version, there are also new 19-inch 6-multispoke black diamond-cut alloy wheel design and a Bowers and Wilkins sound system as standard.
As an electrified model, the XC60 uses hybrid technology with its 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that has a supercharger as well as a turbocharger. The combustion engine output is 407 bhp/640 Nm with the electric motor contributing 87 bhp/240 Nm. All that power goes through an 8-speed Geartronic automatic transmission and propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 5.3 seconds.
In the past, that sort of performance would mean high consumption but the XC60 is said to be able to do up to 45 kms/litre. This is because the powertrain does not run on the petrol engine all the time and depending on conditions, it use the electric motor which means no fuel is consumed. There is even a mode that can ‘lock’ the powertrain in pure electric mode but only for a limited distance as it will be constantly drawing on power from the lithium-ion battery pack.
Volvo built much of its reputation on safety and the XC60 ensures that is maintained. While the early Volvos had impressive passive safety (which protects occupants when an accident occurs), today’s models have more advanced Active Safety systems. These Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can help to avoid collisions, keep the car in its lane and even stop the car at a junction if another vehicle is approaching from either side (but the driver is unaware). Small cameras provide a simulated image of the area around the vehicle so the driver can spot hazards and also park more precisely.
Google has previewed an enhanced remote vehicle controls with Hyundai Blue Link at Google I/O happening this week. In other words, future Hyundai owners will be able to control their cars remotely via Google Assistant using simple voice commands.
Using an Assistant-enabled smart speaker, Smart Display or Android or iOS phone, Hyundai owners soon can do things like start their car from the kitchen, set their car’s temperature from the comfort of their couch, or make sure their car doors are locked while in the grocery store more efficiently. (more…)
