Volvo gets connected

Volvo has joined with Ericsson to develop, provide and/or enable a new spectrum of in-car and to-car services using Cloud technologies.

Although some are yet to come to maturity, all will rely on infrastructure to car technology which Volvo is already rolling out across its vehicle range.

Volvo and Ericsson’s vision includes using a combination of data technologies and autonomous vehicle infrastructure to maximise amenity, environmental performance and safety while in-car. The technology will also facilitate smart transport networks and even electronic purchasing of goods and services.

The two Swedish corporations provided a snapshot of existing technology and potential future applications as part of last week’s unveiling of the XC90 in Sweden.

Volvo’s all-new large luxury SUV boasts five cameras and three radar and over 100 processors (computers) of varying levels of capability.

It also debuts Volvo’s new Sensus HMI (human machine interface) and features the highest level of embedded smart technology yet for the brand.

That includes everything from cloud-based sat-nav and infotainment options through to safety features which utilise semi-autonomous driving tools such as Queue Assist, pedestrian recognition and the latest version of Volvo’s ground-breaking City Safety automatic braking, which now senses and prevents potential right-turn collisions.

Volvo says the XC90 offers “a fully connected experience”. The Sensus interface enables actions such as real-time searching and paying for parking, “discovering new restaurants” and also allows the car to prompt servicing requirements and also suggest potential bookings at the nearest Volvo dealerships.

Like all of Volvo’s latest models, the XC90 also interfaces with Volvo’s VolvoOnCall smart phone app, which allows owners to interrogate various car functions and lock and unlock the car remotely.

Using ‘digital keys’, Volvo and Ericsson recently trialled a to-car deliver service in the former's hometown, Gothenburg. Under the trial Volvo owners were able to have goods including fresh food purchased online delivered directly to their vehicle.

The cloud-based system allowed the delivery service to locate the car, request a temporary digital key to open it to facilitate the deliver. Once the good were delivered the car was relocked remotely and the digital key ‘destroyed’.

According to Volvo IT Innovation Manager John Maresch, last November-December’s seven-week trial was so successful a number of major online retailers have contacted Volvo for more information.