Volvo and Google have been collaborating on some level since 2017, but now they plan to take both their partnership and their technology to the next level. The Android-based OS will now be an essential feature in future Volvos' revised dashboard and infotainment system. Further, while technology will become more advanced and efficient, thanks to multiple systems working in tandem on the OS, the main focus here is simplicity and safety for the driver.

Read on to discover just how much the partnership between Google and Volvo will change the way Volvos operate in the coming years.

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How It Started

The Volvo and Google partnership began in 2017, with Volvo Cars' newest generation's infotainment system announced that it was based on Google’s Android platform. They even were the first car maker that had cars with Android's OS powering their infotainment system, allowing customers to control the vehicle via an app on their smartphone. This OS also had other Google products included, such as Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. The collaboration between Volvo and Google is now being taken further to its next logical step.

The next generation of Volvo cars will feature a new OS in all the electric models. This new Android Automotive OS is connected to the cloud and changes the approach on display inside the vehicle. Infotainment and connectivity will reportedly be next-level for their customers' driving experience, and Volvo promises, according to their press release, that “This state-of-the-art technology will revolutionize the way that our customers interact with their Volvo, integrating their car into their digital world and offering access to a wide range of apps, and connected and predictive services.” This new in-car infotainment system will apparently be redesigned from the ground up while still being powered by Android, promising more safety and relaxation while driving.

This new operating system will also merge information, controls, and connectivity into a single control with all the aspects working in unison. The previous Google aspects will still be voice-operated, with the new OS named “Sensus.” Embedded in the car will be many Google and Volvo-based services and apps, all of which are optimized for Android-based car infotainment systems. Also, as Sensus will definitely be run on the Android-based OS, any updates can be downloaded and installed instantaneously. One benefit of all this will be immediate customer response on Volvo's end, as well as other data packets able to be offered in real-time. That said, it will be a few years before the first Android-based system will launch.

The Inner Workings

The Google programs in Volvo cars have specific functionality to them. While these programs are made to blend design with engineering, the main focus is safety and simplicity.

The specific aim is to let the driver see certain points of data in order of relevance, all with greater connectivity and coordinated with various pre-existing services and apps. Further, new apps based on this emerging collaboration are in development, all designed with the purpose of a more direct and enjoyable driving experience in mind. The screen will present all the relevant information to the driver in high resolution, and information like current speed and battery levels will take precedence.

This large screen will also be touch-operated and placed front and center on the dashboard. Some of the information will also be accessible via voice command as well as by touch. Only relevant information will be available at the moment it's needed. The plan is for all future Volvo cars to be featuring this OS and this design moving forward. That said, however, despite the elaborate, technology-heavy setup, the aim is to also be minimalist and contextual.

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Part Of A Larger Strategy

Incorporating Google into the fold is all part of Volvo's bigger picture scheme for how they want their company to evolve in the next decade. Also planned for Volvo's future models is the use of a smartphone as a key and an app for a full seamless connection. This in-car experience will also be personalized for the driver, allowing for even more seamless connectivity and a superior driving experience. This is all part of Volvo's larger strategy to be an exclusively electric car company by 2030 with its electric cars to be available online only, with a slow but sure shift to its online sales channels.

The Specific Design Layout

The intricate, meticulous way the panel was structured also serves a purpose. The panel has two screens as the primary focus. First off is the aforementioned large screen front and center on the dashboard. The upper 66% of the screen is for the “anchor” app, which is mainly a map with widgets for other parts of the system. These widgets are in the bottom 33% of the screen.

This is largely similar to the current Volvo dashboard screen setup, though these visuals will become more prominent and brighter, so as not to be as distracting to the driver when seeking information. Another feature is the digital gauge cluster that has been compressed, as physical gauges have been rendered nearly obsolete. This is where a lot of the aforementioned relevant information is displayed to be called upon when needed.

Also, while a specific timeline has yet to be announced, the next generation of electric vehicles begins with the XC90's successor in 2022, so these Google-induced advances could very well show up within the next few years.

Sources: media.volvocars.com, group.volvocars.com, automotiveworld.com, cnet.com