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Read moreVolvo to Integrate Android OS Into Next-Gen Sensus Infotainment
Volvo's latest award-winning tablet-style Sensus infotainment and connectivity system already incorporates Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay, and has been praised for the slick way the two interfaces integrate within, but the Swedish brand is now taking it to the next level in a partnership with Google to co-develop the entire backend of its future Sensus system.
According to Volvo, its next-generation infotainment and connectivity systems will arrive within two years, and offer access to a wide selection of apps plus connected and predictive services developed by Google, Volvo, and third parties, for use in and around the vehicle.
"We are making an important strategic step with the Google partnership," said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Car Group. "Google's platform and services will enhance the user experience by enabling more personalization possibilities, while Android will offer increased flexibility from a development perspective."
This is just another sign that the automotive and tech worlds are converging, something we've all been witnessing via newscasts of Google's odd little self-driving prototype car tooling around city streets, plus the plethora of new ride hailing and sharing startups. In fact, Volvo already has self-driving cars on the road through a partnership with Uber, which only goes to show that the forward-thinking automaker truly believes "smart partnerships are the future for the car industry," as it stated in a press release introducing the relationship with Google.
So how will Volvo and its legions of loyal customers benefit? The Android OS promises faster speeds and greater development flexibility, plus the ability for customer personalization.
"We're thrilled to partner with Volvo to bring Android into their next generation connected cars," said Patrick Brady, Vice President of Android Engineering at Google. "This partnership gives us the opportunity to deliver a more seamless experience to Volvo drivers through a full-featured infotainment platform and rich ecosystem of Android applications and Google services."
"With the advent of Android we will embrace a rich ecosystem while keeping our iconic Volvo user interface," added Green. "We will offer hundreds of popular apps and the best integrated experience in this broad, connected environment."
Rather than wait until the fully integrated system is available, Volvo and Google are already collaborating on a location based service app dubbed Google Local Search, which will be installed through a regular update to current Volvo customers who anted up for the Sensus Navigation system.
To experience the superb Volvo Sensus infotainment system now, contact Volvo of Vancouver locally at 888-454-4165, call toll free at 888-485-1879, or go visit them in the showroom at 8530 Cambie Street, just behind the new Marine Drive Skytrain Station and new Marine Gateway urban centre between Cambie and Yukon streets.
Additionally, check out this informative video showing exactly how the new Android-powered Volvo Sensus system works:
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