Volvo and Polestar’s soon-to-launch flagship electric SUVs are set to feature Google HD Maps, which are claimed to help the performance of their driver assist systems. Meanwhile, Porsche has also committed to using Google applications like Google Maps for good. Here’s the story.
Volvo, Polestar to use Google HD Maps for their upcoming electric SUVs
The HD map technology of Google will be used in the forthcoming flagship electric SUVs of Volvo and Polestar, the Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3, to enhance the performance of their advanced driver assist technology.
Both of these electric SUVs are slated to use the precise lane-level and localization data of Google, in conjunction with their LiDAR, radar, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors, in order to power features such as Pilot Assist. It is a level 2 autonomous driving feature.
Vice president and general manager of Geo Automotive at Google Jorgen Behren claims the technology is “crucial to powering the next generation of assisted and autonomous driving systems.”
The Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3 share their SPA2 platform, numerous safety characteristics, and infotainment operating system, which the latter Google also powers.
The Android Automotive operating system features not only Google Automotive Services but also Google Maps, Google Assistant, wireless Apple CarPlay, and various other apps from the tech company.
Meanwhile, the infotainment system supports over-the-air updates on software to enhance the technology within these two electric SUVs continuously.
Volvo’s upcoming electric SUV has also been confirmed to include safety characteristics such as sub-millimeter radar sensors in the car, which warn the person if they leave children or pets behind.
At this point, it has been said that the new flagship SUV of Volvo will launch in Australia in the second half of 2024.
This introduction of the all-electric Volvo EX90 in the market takes it one step closer to the goal of the brand of being fully electric by 2026 in Australia and by 2030 worldwide.
Polestar already exclusively sells electric cars and is set to launch the Polestar 3 SUV in Australia in 2024.
Both of these brands are under the umbrella of Chinese giant Geely. Back in 2010, the Geely Holding Group acquired 82 percent of Volvo Cars, and last 2015, Volvo Cars sold 50.5 percent of Polestar ownership over to Geely.
Porsche owners would soon be able to use Google Maps without connecting an Android phone
In other news, Porsche owners would soon be able to directly access Google apps such as Google Assistant and Google Maps even if they do not connect to their Android phones.
The German automobile manufacturer is reportedly considering fully integrating Google software into its car cockpit, marking a shift in its strategy.
The deal, which is for now only being considered by the Porsche brand and not the Volkswagen Group more widely, would enable Porsche owners to use those Google applications that way.
As of press time, there are no statements yet from the spokespeople of Porsche, Google, and Volkswagen.
However, the chief financial officer of Porsche, Lutz Meschke, stated in a conference call last October that the company was already in close contact with Google and Apple, as well as China-based companies Baidu, Tencent, and Alibaba, following the end of its cooperation with Volkswagen’s Cariad unit on software research and development.
