Volvo Cars is starting to roll out what it described as its largest over-the-air (OTA) software update to date, sending a redesigned infotainment interface to about 2.5 million vehicles across 85 countries from this week.
The update introduces “Volvo Car UX”, a revised layout for the central display that Volvo said is quicker to use and needs fewer taps to reach key functions.
It said the move was part of its long-running approach of improving cars over time through software, with the upgrade delivered free to eligible customers.
Volvo said drivers of models with Google built-in will receive the new interface in vehicles built as early as 2020, meaning older cars will adopt a design approach closer to newer models.
“This update is one of the largest over-the-air updates in automotive history, leveraging years of investment in Volvo Cars’ tech stack to improve life with their cars for millions of people,” Volvo Cars chief engineering and technology officer Anders Bell said. He added that the changes focus on areas used most frequently by drivers.
Built on Android Automotive OS, the new UX puts core apps and controls such as maps, media and phone on the home screen.
Volvo said this is meant to reduce task-switching, including letting drivers adjust media while keeping navigation visible, rather than hopping in and out of Google Maps.
A new contextual bar changes based on what the car is doing and surfaces recently used apps.
Volvo gave one example: at low speeds, an external camera shortcut appears to help with tight manoeuvres.
Plug-in hybrid owners also get a simpler route to electric-first driving. Volvo said “Pure” mode now sits inside Drive Modes on the home screen, making the hybrid-to-EV switch a single tap.
Alongside the UI refresh, Volvo said customers with Google built-in who do not already have Pilot Assist will, where compatible, be able to buy and download the driver-assistance feature.
The update also prepares eligible cars for a future conversational AI experience with Google Gemini, which Volvo said is due later this spring.
