Volvo and Polestar are rolling out major updates

Volvo and Polestar have had version 3 (version 3.0.3, to be exact) for a few days now If you visited the workshop, the update will be installed immediately. Now the OTA rollout follows.

Volvo and Polestar receive major updates

From today, the big update will be distributed to cars, although for Polestar it is only 2 Series and for Volvo it does not affect only electric cars, because the XC60 is now also equipped with Android Automotive. It’s a bit of a big update.

First of all, Android Automotive 12 is finally available for these two brands. This is much slower for cars than for smartphones. We’re now up to Android Automotive 14 and version 15 should come in 2024. But that’s another topic I’d like to talk about in more detail here soon.

I’ve been driving a car for a while now that uses Android as a base and I’ve noticed that my Polestar 2 is still not updated and uses Android Automotive 11. However, the notice that Android Automotive 12 is starting now was sent to me directly by Volvo.

I have already tested the C40 and, although I no longer have this test car, I was now given an update. Let’s see when Polestar 2 will announce it. Of course you can also find suitable changes here:

Android Automotive 12: Changelog von Volvo

This update includes the ability to use Android Automotive OS 12. New features include:

• The microphone icon at the top of the screen when the microphone is in use.
• Traffic score information is available offline even if you do not agree to Google’s terms and conditions.
• Improvements to the voice assistant, including a new app that lets you interact with your latest messages through the center display.

Improvements and bug fixes

• The automatic brake when reversing now reacts more gently. This is only valid for 2024 model year vehicles manufactured after week 46/2023.
• On 2023 or earlier model year vehicles, the steering wheel now also lights up when the air conditioning is on. For the 2024 model year, this feature was introduced in the last update.
• The heater markers are now displayed correctly even when the parking camera view is open.
• Security Patch Level (SPL) update.
• The recognition of traffic signs in Europe has been improved. This is only valid for 2024 model year vehicles manufactured after week 46/2023.
• There is a slight vibration when accelerating at low speeds. This only applies to vehicles with a 2024 model year.
• Save system and power supply modifications that do not affect performance or other approved characteristics.

Android Automotive 12: Changelog von Polestar

• Android Automotive OS 12.
• Paving the way for further development of Google Car Services and third-party applications.
• A new messaging app that allows users to interact with some recently received messages directly on the screen, as a complement to the voice assistant’s Messenger function.
• When the microphone is in use, a microphone icon appears in the top bar.
• Automatic activation of the steering wheel heating using the remote climate control when the ambient temperature is below 10°C (for vehicles manufactured before November 2022).
• Various software improvements: Added “Average Usage” to the existing usage display.
• If the user has not accepted Google’s terms and conditions, the associated Google applications will be grayed out. Tapping on the gray icons takes users to the Google Terms of Service.
• Offline support for traffic sign information for users who have not accepted Google’s Terms of Service.
• The “Complete Profile Setup” button is now integrated into the center display.
• Traffic sign recognition improvements for European markets.
  Improvements to the Bluetooth connection between the car and Apple CarPlay when navigating the phone.

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