Now cars are becoming similar to mobile (cell) phones and can receive regular updates of operating software, Volkswagen promises owners of ID “new level of management” with many improvements available from its third-generation EV software.
The automaker adds many new features to all-electric models and optimizes charging capacity. The update – with most but not all of the new features – will also be available for already delivered cars using the OTA update available in the second quarter of 2022.
“Using swarm data and driver assistance systems of the latest generation, Volkswagen is taking the next step towards automated control,” said the automaker.
Updates include:
Optional Travel assistance with Swarm data which automatically holds the vehicle in the center of the lane, adapts to the driver’s style, and can also drive further to the left or right of the lane rather than exactly in the middle. It can also maintain a distance from the vehicle in front and maintain a set speed limit. The system has predictive cruise control and cornering assistance, and vehicle speeds can be adapted to local restrictions and roads.
With two radars behind and using ultrasound, the system can monitor the surrounding traffic and, starting at 90 km / h (55 mph), also actively support lane changes. When activated, a lane change can be initiated and carried out, indicating that the sensors have not detected any objects in the surrounding area, and the capacitive steering wheel can feel the driver’s hands. The vehicle will then head for the desired lane. The driver can intervene at any time and take control of the maneuver.
If anonymous swarm information from other VWs is available, the new Travel Assist system also works on roads where there is only one lane. The car is aligned with the detected lane boundary to stay on the lane. Swarm data further increases system availability.
Park Assist Plus can search for a parking space after it has been activated in the parking menu (up to 40 km / h or 25 mph) for suitable parallel parking spaces and up to 20 km / h [12mph] for parking) and complete the maneuver. If desired, the assistant can autonomously park the car with sensors and fully control the steering, acceleration, braking and shifting. To do this, the driver stops at the selected parking space, applies the brake and activates the parking process with a button. The system can also help with already started parking maneuvers, completing the process, and can also leave parallel parking spaces.
Optional Park Assist Plus with memory function allows the vehicle to “learn” five different parking maneuvers. The memory function records parking maneuvers at speeds below 40 km / h (25 mph) with driving distances up to 50 m (55 yards), such as canopy or garage parking. The driver parks once and saves the maneuver and then the car can repeat it if the driver controls it.
New displays. Optional home augmented reality display projecting important information directly into the field of view of the windshield, has now been expanded to include additional displays in the long-distance zone: as well as showing assistance with lane adjustment, it also displays new symbols such as roundabouts and distance information. Turning arrows now look more integrated into the neighborhood. The charge status (SOC) is also displayed as a percentage next to the battery icon that indicates the charge level.
“Many members of the ID Drivers Club wanted to get information as a percentage, so we did that,” said Silke Bagszyk, CMO of VW’s Digital ID department.
The updated software also improves additional navigation by locating the vehicle in the lane within the system, allowing you to recommend changing lanes in a timely manner for intersections and motorway exits. A recommendation to change the strip also appears in the ID Light strip under the windshield. The system now also displays local hazard warnings using Car2X technology, as a result of which cars have a networked network directly and locally with each other via a WLANp radio standard. This allows them to inform each other in real time about critical road situations.
Optimized voice control now recognizes voice commands much faster and more accurately, and the nature of natural language is said to make the car an “intelligent partner in conversation.” The customer activates voice control by touching the steering wheel or voice ID, and the system will respond within seconds. Now VW says the quality of voice control recognition is about 95 percent. The system also recognizes, speaks to the driver or front passenger, and follows appropriate instructions, such as setting up the correct dual-zone air conditioner.
Voice control understands common phrases and colloquial questions and expressions, asks questions where necessary, and allows the user to interrupt. The system responds either online using cloud data or offline from information stored in the car.
Charging a battery with a capacity of 77 kW / h with a maximum power of 135 kW. It is now possible to charge a maximum of 135 kW (from 125 kW), while improving battery temperature control can increase the range, especially in cold weather. The new battery care mode limits the SOC charge level to 80 percent.
A smart e-route planner. The charging menu, which now appears on the first screen of the touch screen, has become more informative and understandable. The online route calculator creates a route with several stops to get the car to its destination as quickly as possible. It takes into account traffic and route data as well as the desired SOC on arrival at the final destination and intermediate destination. Charging stops are estimated and based on the output of the charging station. Route planning can offer two short charging processes with high power instead of one long stop with low power.
