Volkswagen AG Creates a New Division to Focus on Vehicle Software & Services

As automobiles become internet connected devices filled with more high-tech features, an increasing focus of automakers is on passenger experience and mobility services rather than a vehicle’s mechanical systems. To support this effort, German automaker Volkswagen AG created a new division named “Digital Car and Services”. The new division will focus on bringing more robust software into Volkswagen AG vehicles to provide a better mobility experience to passengers.

Eric Walz2019-02-25 15:00 PT

HERE Technologies Develops New Map Data That Includes Cell Signal Strength for Connected Cars

Mapping company HERE Technologies​ has partnered with Continual, a leading provider of connected car and subscriber analytics to developed a new map data set called HERE Cellular Signals, which includes the strength of cellular networks around the world. To create HERE Cellular Signals, HERE fused its global radio (cellular) map with its leading GPS map of the road network.

FutureCar Staff 2019-02-20 13:27 PT

Audi’s New Traffic Advisory System Helps Drivers Catch Green Lights

Luxury automaker Audi has improved upon its Traffic Light Information system by adding a Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA) feature, to help driver’s avoid the frustration of getting stopped by red traffic lights. The system works by suggesting the the optimal driving speed, so that a upcoming traffic signal is more likely to be green as the vehicle approaches.

FutureCar Staff 2019-02-19 13:24 PT

Polestar Launches Interactive Preview of its Android-powered Infotainment System

Polestar, the luxury electric brand of China’s Geely and parent company of Volvo, has launched an interactive website allowing users to preview its new Android-based infotainment system in the upcoming Polestar 2 electric vehicle.

Eric Walz2019-01-23 12:39 PT

Volkswagen Buys Controlling Stake in Volvo's 'WirelessCar' Unit

German automaker Volkswagen is buying a controlling stake in Volvo’s WirelessCar, a digital service developer specializing in connected vehicle services.

FutureCar Staff 2018-12-19 11:26 PT

Jaguar Land Rover Previews New Tech That Works to Keep Traffic Lights Green

Jaguar Land Rover is trailing a new technology called The Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory (GLOSA) system, which allows cars to “talk” to traffic lights and inform the driver the speed they should drive as they approach intersections or traffic signals.

Eric Walz2018-11-15 13:05 PT

President Trump Signs Order to Set U.S. Spectrum Strategy for 5G Networks

On Thursday, President Trump signed a presidential memorandum directing the Commerce Department to develop a long-term comprehensive national spectrum strategy to prepare for the introduction of next-generation 5G wireless networks. 5G network speeds are a key requirement for the commercial roll-out of autonomous driving and connected car technology.

FutureCar Staff 2018-10-25 17:36 PT

Avis Teams up With Ford to Connect 35,000 Vehicles in its Rental Fleet

Rental car company Avis Budget Group Inc. announced an agreement with the Ford Motor Co. to connect more than 35,000 Ford vehicles in Avis’ U.S. fleet. The connected vehicles will also provide valuable vehicle data to Avis, to help to car rental company manage its fleet of Ford vehicles.

Eric Walz2018-10-23 11:23 PT

AT&T and Harmon Announce the Harman Spark, a Device That Turns Any Vehicle Into a Connected Car

Telecommunications giant AT&T and Harmon, a division of Samsung best known for its high-end audio products, have co-developed a new device called the Harman Spark, which turns any ordinary vehicle into a connected car.

FutureCar Staff 2018-09-26 16:12 PT

Volvo Calls for Universal Standard for Autonomous Car Communication

With the new 360c autonomous concept, Volvo Cars is addressing one of the main challenges around the introduction of autonomous technology. Volvo is calling for a new, global standard in how autonomous vehicles communicate with all other road users.

FutureCar Staff 2018-09-05 16:50 PT

Volkswagen to Invest $4 Billion in a Operating System for Connected Cars

German automaker Volkswagen announced it will invest 3.5 billion euros ($4 billion) by 2025 to build digital businesses and products including a cloud computing-based platform to connect vehicles and customers to offer services such as car sharing. VW plans to be a world leader in e-mobility services.

Eric Walz2018-08-23 13:55 PT

GM’s Embedded In-Dash Fuel Payment Service Goes Live at Shell Gas Stations

GM has begun the automotive industry's first-ever embedded, in-dash fuel payment and loyalty experience with Shell gas stations. Customers refueling their eligible Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles at Shell stations, will be able to use the Shell Pay & Save app available from the GM Marketplace to pay for their fuel directly from their vehicles' infotainment screen.

Eric Walz2018-08-17 11:44 PT

Ford Subsidiary Autonomic Partners with Alibaba Cloud to Standardize Connected Car Communications

Autonomic, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Smart Mobility LLC, and Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bring to China the Transportation Mobility Cloud (TMC), a standard transportation and mobility solution for connected vehicles developed by Autonomic.

Paul Young2018-08-14 12:16 PT

Aurora Labs Raises $8.4 Million for its 'Self-Healing' Automotive Software

Aurora Labs, an Israeli-based company working on predictive maintenance solutions for automotive software, announced it closed an $8.4 million A round of financing led by Fraser McCombs Capital and MizMaa Ventures. Aurora will use the new funds to expand its international presence beyond its recently opened Munich, Germany office and to expand its research and development.

Eric Walz2018-07-12 14:15 PT

Volkswagen Joins with Tech Companies On Ethernet Networking Solutions for Autonomous Vehicles

​The automotive industry’s push toward autonomous driving and connected vehicles requires the transmission of large amounts of data from the autonomous vehicle to the cloud. To support this need, major automakers, including Volkswagen are partnering with tech companies in a alliance to develop solutions for in-vehicle networks.

Eric Walz2018-06-28 18:49 PT

Ford Motor Co Teaming up with Baidu on AI-Powered Smart Cars

U.S. carmaker Ford Motor Co said on Wednesday it signed a letter of intent with China’s internet search giant Baidu to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and smart connectivity in cars.

Eric Walz2018-06-27 16:45 PT

Apple, BMW and Audi Among Companies Working to Create ‘Digital Key Standard’ for Cars

​More than 70 leading automotive and tech companies, including Apple, LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Audi, General Motors, BMW, Hyundai, Qualcomm, and Volkswagen, have joined together under the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to create the Digital Key standard for the automotive industry.

Eric Walz2018-06-21 11:26 PT

Baidu & China Mobile Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance Telecommunications for Connected Cars

Baidu, Inc. and China Mobile announced a comprehensive strategic partnership in emerging technology including areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data and 5G, leveraging the respective core strengths of each.

Eric Walz2018-06-15 16:27 PT

Hyundai & Xevo Working on a In-Vehicle Payment System

Hyundai is making it easier for drivers to pay for for goods and services right from their vehicle’s telematics unit, including gasoline, food, or parking with a new partnership with Xevo, which provides in-car purchasing options.

Eric Walz2018-06-07 18:32 PT

Audi Expands Traffic Light Information system to 10 U.S. Cities

Audi of America has announced the expansion of its Traffic Light Information (TLI) to two more cities—Phoenix, Arizona and areas of Kansas City, Kansas. With the addition of the two cities, more than 2,250 intersections across U.S. can communicate with Audi vehicles.

Eric Walz2018-05-11 11:41 PT