The Polestar 2, Volvo’s forthcoming Tesla Model 3 rival will be the first from the Swedish manufacturer to have the Android infotainment operating system embedded when it enters production in 2020, according to Automotive News.
In May, Volvo said that it will embed the voice-controlled Google Assistant, Google Play Store, Google Maps as well as other Google services into its own next-generation Sensus infotainment system. The tech giant has a similar agreement with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, Automotive News adds.
Upon taking over from Peter Mertens in 2016, chief of research and development Henrik Green changed direction from adopting an in-house upgrade of the Sensus infotainment system in favour of adopting the Google setup. “Why would you ever pick that fight and invest the same amount of money. It would be an endless struggle to make it as good as Google’s system,” Green said.
“We want to give our consumers a fantastic experience where their cars are as seamlessly integrated as any other device. After coming to that conclusion, it was super easy to jump on board with the Android embedded program,” he continued.
Taking this approach towards infotainment systems helps Volvo save on development costs, Green said. Having a partner to help maintain and fix any issues that arise once the system is launched will be a ‘huge advantage in overall quality,’ he added.
The Google solution replaces a Windows-based infotainment system, and will be first available on Compact Modular Architecture (CMA)-based cars, including the XC40 and the forthcoming Polestar 2. This approach will extend further across the group as well; sister marque Lynk & Co also currently uses the Android infotainment system, albeit one that is open-source rather than the embedded version.
This embedded version of the Android system will be built into Volvo’s second-generation SPA (SPA2) platform-based models such as the third-generation XC90, which will debut in 2021, the report said.
The Swedish automaker confirmed that it will also emphasise the presence of Google products in its cars, adding that “it is a a good selling point,” the R&D chief said. “People are used to having Google maps and Google assistant on their Android phone or on their iPhone or on their watch so we want to make sure that digital life continues when I get into the car,” added Google director of product management Mickey Kataria.
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Later lag…wa tarak mau lo…
pakai sajak tau.. sevis tak? snap gambat entah apa2 simpan sampai penuh memori.
Why use google if Proton ‘Proton, open the right window’ is so good?
Go ask Mesidis. It was their system.
Financial consideration and easy integration. Paying Google to use their system is way cheaper than developing a system from scratch.
Shud try to synergise and use GKUI/MBUX/P1UI
logical thinking. unlike previous p1 who try to create everything themself in very niche market. billions of RM wasted