Video: Volvo on integrating the digital world into the connected car

In this video from Telematics Munich 2013, Thomas M. Müller, vice president, electrical and electronics systems engineering, Volvo Car Corporation, tells TU's Jan Stojaspal about some of the next steps of bringing the digital world into Volvo cars.

According to Müller, Volvo cars will come with completely new mechanical and electrical architecture from the end of 2014, and the Volvo Concept Coupe, which was presented at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, gave a sneak preview of what is to come. On the electrical side, the direction is towards significantly cutting down data transfer times, intuitive HMI design that is touchscreen-based and full connectivity.

“If you talk about connectivity, the one [aspect] is to bring the car into the Cloud, or into the user experience,” he says. “The other thing is bringing the Internet into the car. But then there is the question of what are core automotive business cases. What only a car manufacturer can do? And it’s not the weather, it’s not whatever app or music stream. That is just adopting things.”

Instead, Müller foresees the emergence of direct sales channels, selling customers things like software updates on as-needed basis. According to him, there is even a chance that drivers will be able to download extra horsepower remotely.

Jan Stojaspal is the executive editor of Telematics Update.

For all the latest telematics trends, check out Content and Apps for Automotive Europe 2014 on April 8-9 in Munich, Germany, Insurance Telematics Europe 2014 on May 6-7 in London, Telematics India and South Asia 2014 on May 28-29 in Bangalore, India, Insurance Telematics Canada 2014 on May 28-29 in Toronto, Telematics Detroit 2014 on June 4-5 in Novi, Michigan, Advanced Automotive Safety USA 2014 on July 8-9 in Novi, Michigan, and Telematics Munich 2014 on Nov. 10-11 in Munich, Germany.

For exclusive telematics business analysis and insight, check out TU’s reports: Telematics Connectivity Strategies Report 2013, The Automotive HMI Report 2013, Insurance Telematics Report 2013 and Fleet & Asset Management Report 2012.

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