Volkswagen to send over-the-air updates to ID. cars

Volkswagen will soon regularly send over-the-air (OTA) software updates to models in its ID. family. Volkswagen claimed this makes it the first and only high-volume manufacturer to make remote updating widely available to customers. 

The first model to benefit is the ID.3 with the latest software version “ID.Software2.3,” and it will be delivered to “First Movers Club” customers via mobile data transfer in July 2021. The update includes adjustments and improvements to operations, performance, and comfort.

Updates for all ID.3, ID.4 and ID.4 GTX customers will follow gradually. In the future, Volkswagen said it will update the software in its ID. cars every 12 weeks.

The first update for the all-electric ID. models comes with many functional improvements. These include enhanced ID. Light functionalities, improved surroundings recognition, dynamic main beam control, improved operability for the infotainment system, as well as performance and stability improvements.

The software updates are delivered via mobile data transfer, straight to the central high-performance computers in the ID. models called In Car Application Server (ICAS).

In the case of cars based on the modern modular electric drive matrix (MEB) platform, these take on functions that were previously distributed across a host of control units in earlier vehicle generations, Volkswagen said.

The new electronics architecture is not only more powerful and intelligent, it also simplifies the exchange of data and functions between systems in the car. This makes it possible to reach and update up to 35 control units via the OTA updates, VW added. 

“Cars that always have the latest software on board and offer an excellent digital customer experience are extremely important for the future success of the Volkswagen brand,” member of the Board of Management for Development at Volkswagen Thomas Ulbrich said.

“We established the agile project unit ID. Digital specifically to enable us to continuously update software in the car. As such, we are able to quickly gather customer feedback and react flexibly to customer requirements. This means the ID. models remain constantly up to date after delivery, and customer cars retain their value better,” he added. 

The driving force behind the digitalization of the brand is the close cooperation between ID. Digital and Cariad, the Volkswagen Group’s car software organization. This collaboration will make a wealth of software expertise, VW said. 

OTA updates "will become the norm for customers, just like downloading the latest operating system or apps on your smartphone,” Cariad CEO Dirk Hilgenberg concluded. 

Photos from Volkswagen

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