
The paint is still fresh on Volvo’s existing infotainment setup, and the Swedish carmaker is already rolling out a redesign with the arrival of its new electric vehicle.
On Thursday, Volvo revealed that the forthcoming EX60 electric SUV will feature the company’s newest infotainment system, which will incorporate Google Gemini. The EX60 is anticipated to be unveiled in a week on January 21.
Volvo stated that Gemini will be “thoroughly integrated with the vehicle” and will enable drivers to perform tasks without needing to memorize commands, such as locating a hotel reservation address in their emails.
This innovative system, which Volvo has titled HuginCore after the bird from Norse mythology, operates on a custom-developed electrical architecture, core computing unit, and zonal controllers.
Volvo’s present infotainment architecture is based on Google’s Android Auto OS; however, it does not feature Gemini integration. The single teaser image released by Volvo depicts a familiar, yet distinct, interface from what is currently available, with vehicle and climate control functionalities centered at the bottom of the display. A possibly crystal-clear volume dial remains on the central console.
This new system will utilize a Qualcomm Snapdragon Auto Connectivity Platform, which includes four years of unlimited data. It remains unclear how much owners will need to pay for data after this period ends.
The HuginCore system will fuse the EX60’s safety frameworks and sensor network to help the vehicle comprehend its environment, according to Volvo. The company mentioned that this allows the EX60 to provide real-time support to drivers by utilizing data from other Volvos, including incidents and near-miss events. This information will enrich the system’s data and enhance safety over time, as claimed by Volvo.
Over-the-air updates are expected to progressively enhance the EX60, as Volvo integrates Gemini more deeply into the vehicle’s systems, including accessing the car’s cameras. Eventually, Volvo stated that the EX60 will have the ability to inform occupants about the surroundings of the car.
Volvo has yet to disclose when any of these new hardware and software features will be implemented or transitioned to the larger EX90, but anticipate the automaker to gradually adopt the HuginCore system and hardware across its entire range.
Have insights about future technology? Reach out to us at [email protected]