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Can All Android Phones Use Android <b>Auto</b>?

Can All Android Phones Use Android Auto? Unless you've put some custom software on your phone, you should be good to go. Android Auto lets you use the essential apps on your phone via your car's dashboard. Much like Apple's CarPlay, you're able to use Android Auto to send messages, take calls, play music, and help navigate you from A to B. It's quickly replaced the patchwork quilt approach taken by car manufacturers in the past, supplanting in-built car infotainment systems that often quickly become outdated and unsupported. Android Auto is essentially a mirroring app for your phone, and most modern Android smartphones built over the last decade include support for it. A group of 28 different car manufacturers pledged to support it in their cars, too.a Compatibility isn't guaranteed, however, and there are a few exceptions that you'll need to be aware of, along with some common issues that can stop it from working. Which Android phones work with Android Auto? Almost all Android smartphones sold since 2018 running a stock or manufacturer-released version of Android will support Android Auto, as long as it's running Android 9 or later. Google says "most wired connections" will work with version 9 or higher. Version 10 is the first version of Android to come with Auto pre-installed, meaning you don't need to install it from the Play Store to start using it. If your phone is running Android 9, you won't have it pre-installed, but you can install it from the Google Play Store. This will allow you to use Android Auto with your car over a wired USB connection. According to Google, over 500 vehicles now come with Android Auto support, but this can be dependent on the age of the car, so you'll need to double-check your car's specs to

Multisensor Data Fusion Optimizes Traffic Flow &amp; Intersection Safety, Delivering Cost &amp; Time Savings

Multisensor Data Fusion Optimizes Traffic Flow & Intersection Safety, Delivering Cost & Time Savings Support CleanTechnica's work through a Substack subscription, on Patreon, or on Stripe. Help us produce all of the high-quality, original content we publish week after week despite the challenges of content-scraping AI, antisocial media, inflation, and other hurdles. Digital-Twin Framework Provides Real-Time Visibility Into Traffic Conditions We have all been there: stopped at a red light at an empty intersection or narrowly avoiding a collision after a driver runs a red light. Researchers at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) are working to reduce such risks by improving how intersections “see” and respond to real-time traffic conditions. Their approach combines infrastructure-based cooperative perception, multisensor data fusion, and data-driven analytics to enhance safety and operational efficiency at signalized intersections — reducing delays, saving time, and lowering transportation costs. The need for these improvements is significant. Traffic crashes and congestion impose major costs in the United States, with more than 40,000 fatalities and approximately $300 billion in economic losses each year. Intersections account for a disproportionate share of the problem, contributing to nearly one-quarter of all traffic fatalities and half of all traffic injuries. More efficient signal operations could also generate substantial savings. According to the Federal Highway Administration, optimizing signal timing can reduce delays by 15%–40% and fuel consumption by up to 10%, depending on conditions. “A substantial share of crashes and excess fuel consumption are associated with intersections,” said Stan Young, an NLR advanced mobility specialist. “It’s a persistent challenge that, until recently, was difficult to solve.” A Digital Twin of Intersection Activity At the center of this effort is IPC-Fusion, an open-source toolkit — now available for licensing — that integrates data from sensors mounted on traffic lights and nearby buildings, along with connected-vehicle

Your Android <b>Auto</b> calls are broken because of these hidden settings

Anyone who has ever used Android Auto has likely experienced this issue at some point: you get a call on your phone, pick it up, and then... nothing. You can't hear the person talking, or perhaps you can hear them, but they can't hear you. After having this happen to me randomly on several occasions, I decided to dig deeper into the problem and found a few potential solutions that should help get rid of it once and for all. Ensure Android Auto has all the right permissions Make sure nothing is blocking access One of the easiest things to rule out is whether Android Auto has all the permissions it requires. If calls used to work but now randomly don't, this could be the culprit, as Android privacy updates can sometimes automatically revoke permissions for apps, and Android Auto requires a surprising number of permissions for calls to work. Head over to your phone's Settings > Apps > App Management (the wording and location may differ slightly on your device). Scroll down to Android Auto and open Permissions. Here, make sure Call logs, Contacts, Microphone, Nearby devices, and Phone are all allowed. To completely rule out potential permission issues with Android Auto, I recommend allowing all the permissions listed. Aside from Android Auto, you should allow all permissions for Google Play services as well. It's also worth pointing out that there's a system-wide option for microphone access, which you can configure in Android's Privacy settings or through the Quick Settings panel. However, if the microphone works in other apps, this isn't the culprit. Check whether a different Bluetooth device is stealing your calls Even your watch could be the culprit Although Android Auto uses a high-bandwidth Wi-Fi connection to communicate between your phone and your car's head unit for

2027 Nissan Patrol Y63 vs Toyota LandCruiser 300: How they compare

William Stopford 2026 GWM Tank 500 price and specs 13 Hours Ago Order books are open for the first new Nissan Patrol in well over a decade, so should you hold off placing your order for the LandCruiser? Deputy News Editor Nissan Australia has announced pricing and key details for the new, seventh-generation Patrol, codenamed ‘Y63’, with an expanded six-member lineup aimed squarely at the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. The first new Patrol in 13 years should help Nissan level the playing field, especially given the current 300 Series LandCruiser is much younger than the outgoing Patrol, introduced both globally and in Australia in 2021. The two nameplates have been sparring partners for more than 70 years, with the first Patrol launched in 1951, the same year as the Toyota BJ, which was renamed the LandCruiser three years later. Toyota launched the LandCruiser in Australia in 1958, while the Patrol arrived in 1961 under the Datsun brand. The 300 Series saw Toyota drop V8 models for a 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 diesel across the lineup. The Y63 Patrol has followed suit with a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine replacing the Y62’s sonorous petrol 5.6-litre V8. Earlier this year, Toyota added a hybrid option to the 300 Series, borrowed from the Tundra full-size pickup, which it now offers on the top-two model grades, both commanding around $9000 more than diesel equivalents. On that front, Nissan has said there’s little call from its Patrol buyers for a hybrid in the Y63, with its petrol-powered range “the right powertrain for right now” and enough to challenge diesel powered LandCruiser. It has also ruled out a performance-focused Nismo version, which is offered overseas, but hasn't quashed the idea of a new Patrol Warrior, which topped the previous range. While the outgoing Y62 Patrol has sold

With the launch of the Neue Klasse: BMW expands its standard active safety features.

With the launch of the Neue Klasse: BMW expands its standard active safety features. New active safety functions support drivers in critical driving, parking and exit scenarios. The enhanced Exit Warning function can actively delay door opening, helping to prevent collisions with cyclists. Unique to BMW Symbiotic Drive: Safety assistance systems remain discreet in the background and can provide effective support when it matters most. he launch of the Neue Klasse marks the first time BMW will offer an expanded portfolio of active safety assistance systems as standard across multiple model series. Among them is an exit warning function with active door opening delay, helping to prevent so-called dooring accidents. The BMW iX3 was the first Neue Klasse production model to feature these technologies, with further models including the BMW i3, BMW X5 and BMW 7 Series to follow. The broad rollout of our new active safety functions as standard is based on our Smart, Symbiotic, Safe philosophy. We bring drivers and assistance systems together into a cooperative system that works in harmony. At BMW, active safety functions operate as quiet, intelligent companions in the background, discreet yet highly effective when it matters most in critical situations, says Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi, Senior Vice President Driving Experience Development at the BMW Group. Active safety assistance systems support drivers in critical driving, parking and exit scenarios. Analysis of customer-consented data from BMWs intelligently connected vehicle fleet demonstrates that these functions contribute to greater road safety. In the last month alone, the fleet analysed* in Europe covered 1.6 billion kilometres. Customers were alerted to potential collisions around 8 million times through visual and acoustic warnings. In 243,977 cases, active steering and braking interventions by assistance systems helped prevent a potential collision. BMW Symbiotic Drive takes driver assistance in BMWs new vehicle generation to

Slotkin bill would ban Chinese <b>cars</b> and parts from US market

Slotkin bill would ban Chinese cars and parts from US market LANSING, Mich. (News 10) - Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin is sponsoring a bill that would ban cars and car parts from China, North Korea, Iran and Russia. Slotkin spoke to the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce about the bill. Bill targets foreign adversaries The “Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026” would ban cars and car parts from China, North Korea, Iran and Russia. Slotkin said getting the bill passed and signed into law would protect America’s auto industry and national security. “There’s no issue that I’ve identified that is more fundamental to our economic security, and to our national security,” Slotkin said. Slotkin said the auto industry in China is booming, offering cars similar to Western manufacturers with more features. She said those cars are tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than their American counterparts because of subsidies from the Chinese government. She said American manufacturers wouldn’t be able to compete with those prices, and the cars could cause drastic changes to the market. “It’s almost like a trojan horse. You let it in, and it will destroy the industry that so many jobs in our community are connected to,” Slotkin said. Data collection concerns That’s one of the reasons Slotkin and Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno introduced the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, which would ban cars and parts manufactured by foreign adversaries like China and Russia. Beyond economic impacts, Slotkin said she’s worried about what could be done with data collected by high-tech cars from China. “These cars are like driving surveillance machines. They just collect full motion video, 3D mapping. All the data from the brain of that car is being sent back to Beijing,” Slotkin said. The cars haven’t hit the American market yet, but

MIIT Outlines Four Key Arrangements for NEVs in the &quot;15th Five-Year Plan&quot; | Gasgoo

Gasgoo Munich- On August 26, 2026, the State Council Information Office held a press conference titled "Starting the 15th Five-Year Plan." Xin Guobin, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), outlined a strategic plan for the high-quality development of the intelligent connected new energy vehicle industry during the period. The ministry stated that the MIIT has formulated the "15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry" (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"). It aims to drive sustained, high-quality industry growth across four dimensions: product supply quality, the supporting usage environment, the industry governance system, and international cooperation. Image Source: 699pic.com First, to elevate product supply quality, the Plan explicitly supports key enterprises in accelerating technological breakthroughs. Priority areas include boosting the low-temperature adaptability and durability of power batteries, as well as enhancing the safety and reliability of autonomous driving. The MIIT will actively and steadily advance pilot programs for market access and road usage of intelligent connected vehicles, alongside "vehicle-road-cloud integration" trials. Building a supportive usage environment is a central task for the 15th Five-Year Plan. The proposal calls for vehicle trade-in programs, NEV initiatives in rural areas, and pilot projects to shore up charging infrastructure in counties. The goal is to ensure charging stations cover every county and charging points reach every township. Additionally, the ministry will establish a sound management system for vehicle modifications, optimize NEV insurance policies, and reduce repair costs. On the governance front, the MIIT will push for reforms in the group-based management of automaker production qualifications to optimize the industrial layout. Core measures include tightening access reviews for innovative product designs and test verification management — strictly prohibiting products from entering the market without adequate testing. The ministry will also intensify supervision over production

Ford's India GCC to hire 500, bets on AI and <b>connected vehicles</b>

Bengaluru: Ford Business Solutions (FBS) plans to hire around 500 people in India in 2027, mainly in technology and data roles, as the automaker builds specialised capabilities in areas such as AI and connected vehicles while taking a more calibrated approach to overall workforce growth. The India global capability centre (GCC), which has more than 12,000 employees, has grown steadily in recent years. However, the increasing use of artificial intelligence and productivity tools is expected to reshape how GCCs approach hiring and headcount expansion. âWe are projecting hiring for around 500 positions in 2027,â said Gangapriya Chakraverti, India site head and managing director for Ford Business Solutions. The hiring will largely focus on technology and data roles and will be skewed towards experienced professionals with specialised skills. FBS is increasingly looking for talent with experience in digital transformation across areas such as enterprise technology, finance and supply chain. The focus is on hiring professionals who have worked on modernising business functions and can bring relevant domain expertise and specialised capabilities to the organisation. The hiring plans come as Ford undergoes a broader transformation amid intensifying competition and rapid technological change in the automotive industry. Traditional automakers are under pressure to rethink product development, cost structures and operating models as Chinese manufacturers expand globally and software and connectivity become increasingly integral to vehicles. At the same time, FBS is evaluating how AI could reshape the nature of work and improve productivity. The company has developed its own internal large language model, Mach1ML, which is layered on top of other foundational models and provides employees with a controlled environment to experiment with and use generative AI tools. FBS has already expanded the scope of technology work handled from India following a global overhaul of Fordâs sourcing strategy. Core software and coding work

MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV vs Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid specs, features compared

While both models here are hybrids and have 7 seats across three rows, they offer different hybrid technologies. With the ADAPT platform-based JSW MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV, India has its first-ever mass-market plug-in hybrid vehicle making its entry in the hugely popular SUV segment. On the other hand, the TNGA-C platform-based Toyota Innova Hycross is an MPV and offers a strong-hybrid powertrain. Here’s how they stack up in their fully loaded trims. Explore full specs, features and a price breakdown in our Hector Tomahawk PHEV and Innova Hycross Hybrid comparison. MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV Essence vs Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid ZX (O): Dimensions The Innova Hycross is larger and offers a slightly bigger boot with all seats in place | MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV Essence vs Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid ZX (O) dimensions | | | | | MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV | Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid | | Length (mm) | 4,745 | 4,755 | | Width (mm) | 1,850 | 1,850 | | Height (mm) | 1,770 | 1,790 | | Wheelbase (mm) | 2,810 | 2,850 | | Boot space (litres) | 192 | 239 | | Wheel size (inches) | 18 | 18 | The Innova Hycross Hybrid is 10mm longer and 20mm taller than the Hector Tomahawk PHEV. The Toyota MPV also has a wheelbase that’s longer by 40mm, while both cars have identical width figures and sport 18-inch alloy wheels in their top-spec trims. The Innova Hycross Hybrid’s luggage capacity with the third row in place is greater by 47 litres. One of the factors limiting the outright cargo volume of the Hector Tomahawk PHEV is its more space-consuming plug-in hybrid tech. MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV Essence vs Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid ZX (O): Powertrain The plug-in hybrid powertrain of the MG SUV is

America's Brake Service Hot Spots, Ranked | WPRI.com

(TestMiles) — Pep Boys service data puts Columbus first in a national brake-service ranking, revealing how local driving conditions can shape maintenance needs. Columbus, Ohio, does not usually appear at the top of lists about America’s most punishing traffic. It is not the nation’s largest city, it is not famous for mountain switchbacks, and it does not have the gridlock reputation of New York, Chicago or Washington. Yet a new analysis from Pep Boys puts Columbus at No. 1 in a different category: the metro area with the highest rate of brake-related service in the company’s network. Seattle ranks second, followed by Indianapolis, Albany, New York, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The rest of the top 25 ranges from major population centers such as Chicago and Detroit to smaller markets including Abilene, Texas; Utica, New York; Panama City, Florida; and Waco, Texas. The mix is what makes the ranking useful. It suggests that brake maintenance is not simply a big-city problem. Local roads, terrain, weather, traffic patterns and the amount of stop-and-go driving can all change how often a driver asks a braking system to turn motion into heat. It also comes with an important limitation. Pep Boys is not measuring pedal pressure, panic stops or braking behavior from connected vehicles. The ranking is based on service activity inside its own network. That means it is better read as a map of where Pep Boys sees an unusually high share of brake work than as proof that drivers in one city literally brake harder than drivers somewhere else. A Ranking That Measures Service, Not Driving Style Pep Boys says it analyzed internal service data from January 1 through July 4, 2026. The company looked at brake-related work, including brake jobs, caliper repairs, premium brake service and rotor replacements, as a share

<b>Automotive</b> Sensors Market Size and Growth Analysis 2026 to 2035

Automotive Sensors Market Size, Share, Trend Report 2026 to 2035 What is Automotive Sensors Market Size? Global Automotive Sensors Market Size is valued at USD 42.68 Bn in 2025 and is predicted to reach USD 167.04 Bn by the year 2035 at a 14.8% CAGR during the forecast period for 2026 to 2035. Automotive Sensors Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis By Sensor Type (Pressure Sensors, Temperature Sensors, Position Sensors, Speed Sensors, Image Sensors, Radar Sensors, LiDAR Sensors, Ultrasonic Sensors, and Others), Application (Powertrain, Safety & Security, ADAS & Autonomous Driving, Chassis, Body Electronics, Telematics & Infotainment, and Others), Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, and Others), Sales Channel (OEM and Aftermarket), and Segment Forecasts, 2026 to 2035. Automotive sensors are electronic components that sense, measure, and monitor several characteristics of the vehicle such as temperature, pressure, speed, position, motion, and environmental factors. They change the physical data into electronic signals that can be easily monitored and controlled by the control unit of the vehicle. Automotive sensors market is booming due to the rising connectivity, electrification, and automation of vehicles. An increasing application of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), autonomous driving systems, and electric vehicles is leading to increased use of sensors in each car. Several sensors are used in modern automobiles to perform different actions such as adaptive cruise control, lane assist control, collision avoidance, battery management system, tire pressure monitoring, and predictive maintenance. The increasing usage of advanced electronics and software-defined vehicles architecture by the OEMs will lead to an increase in the need for automotive sensors. Moreover, there is an increase in the adoption of semiconductor-based and MEMS sensors that offer high precision, lower power consumption, compactness, and reliability. There is an increased demand for optical sensors, radar sensors, LiDAR sensors, and image sensors due

Surventis Aumovio join on EV display and head-up film tech

Surventis (formerly BASF Coatings) and Aumovio have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to advance microstructured optical films for automotive displays, head-up displays and projection systems. The Surventis Aumovio partnership combines nanoimprint film technology under the Chemetall brand with Aumovio’s automotive display integration capabilities and defined industrialisation milestones. Surventis uses roll-to-roll nanoimprint technology to replicate optical micro- and nanostructures across large film areas with high precision. These films can improve light distribution, boost readability and add new display functions while keeping unit costs competitive, giving automotive OEMs more design freedom in display and cockpit integration. Electrification and autonomous mobility are making high-quality displays the key user interface in vehicles, raising demand for advanced optical film components. Aumovio, spun from Continental’s Automotive sector in September 2025, brings display, head-up display and system integration expertise to the collaboration, with agreed development milestones. Frank Naber, Executive Vice President, Surface Treatment at Surventis, said automotive display applications were a key growth area for its functional films and the Aumovio partnership would bring optical solutions to future vehicle platforms. Ulrich Lueders, Aumovio UX Director, said the collaboration would translate optical concepts into scalable vehicle display solutions. Source: Surventis

National Sleep Foundation's Drowsy Driving Forum

Washington, D.C. —As the National Sleep Foundation prepares to convene its 2026 Drowsy Driving Forum this fall, the organization building coalitions. The foundation announced Wednesday the lineup for its Solutions & Actions Panel, a discussion that will bring together some of the country’s most prominent voices in sleep medicine, highway safety and automotive journalism. The panel builds on an earlier Leadership Panel and will convene October 29 at the National Press Club, where organizers hope to translate new research into concrete steps that reduce fatigue-related crashes. A Cross-Sector Bench The roster reflects an attempt to bridge worlds that rarely share a stage. Joseph Dzierzewski, the foundation’s senior vice president of research and scientific affairs, will represent the sleep science side of the conversation. Jonathan Adkins, chief executive of the Governors Highway Safety Association, and David Harkey, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, bring perspectives from state policy and crash-data research, respectively. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, rounds out the clinical viewpoint, while veteran automotive journalist Jamie Butters, host of the Autotown Radio Show and Podcast, offers an industry and consumer lens. Moderating the discussion will be Mark R. Rosekind, chair of the National Sleep Foundation’s board and a former administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, who also served on the National Transportation Safety Board. Rosekind’s dual background in sleep science and federal transportation oversight positions him as a natural bridge between the panel’s medical and regulatory constituencies. John Lopos, the foundation’s chief executive, will open and close the event. New Data as the Anchor The panel’s discussion will center on findings from the foundation’s 2026 Drowsy Driving Survey, which the organization says explores emerging issues in the field while reinforcing sleep health as foundational to safe driving. The survey has not

Geely Xingyuan, BYD Qin L flagged in China quality review over production conformity issues

- The Xingyuan sample vehicle's wheelbase deviation exceeded the permitted 1% margin, while the Qin L DM-i's fuel consumption was higher than its declared level. - China launched a 1-year auto quality campaign a day before the notice, strengthening oversight of production conformity. Geely Auto's (HKEX: 0175) Xingyuan and BYD's (HKEX: 1211) Qin L DM-i were cited as typical cases by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) because their vehicle parameters did not match regulatory filings. MIIT on Friday released the results of its 2025 new energy vehicle (NEV) production conformity inspections, publicly identifying problems involving 7 vehicle models. The notice listed only vehicle identification codes without disclosing model names. Based on previous regulatory filings, the JL7001BEV71 all-electric sedan cited in the notice corresponds to Geely's Xingyuan. The difference between the sample vehicle's wheelbase and the value filed in MIIT's catalog exceeded the permitted 1% margin of error. The vehicle was manufactured by Zhejiang Haoqing Automobile Manufacturing Co Ltd, a Geely manufacturing entity. The other passenger vehicle cited was the BYD7153WT6HEV plug-in hybrid sedan. Based on previous regulatory filings, the code corresponds to the Qin L DM-i. MIIT said the sample vehicle's fuel consumption in charge-sustaining (CS) mode exceeded the company's declared level. The notice did not disclose the actual fuel consumption, the size of the discrepancy or the specific variant involved. Regulators also did not specify what measures were taken against Geely and BYD, respectively. The remaining 5 models involved in the inspection were commercial vehicles. Their problems included missing manuals, discrepancies in vehicle parameters, and emergency windows and protective devices that failed to meet national standards. MIIT said it had taken measures based on the severity of the problems, including ordering rectification, suspending or revoking the listings of affected products in its catalog, and suspending the

Apple Wallet Adds Digital <b>Car</b> Key Support For Xiaomi <b>Vehicles</b>

Apple is preparing to introduce digital car key support for Xiaomi electric vehicles within the Apple Wallet platform. Discovered in recent system beta software, this integration establishes an unexpected bridge between two direct global competitors in the consumer technology and mobile device sectors. - Supported Vehicles: The software integration will extend native keyless entry and ignition capabilities to drivers of the Xiaomi SU7 sedan, the YU7 SUV, and future connected vehicles produced by the Chinese manufacturer. - Core Functionality: Vehicle owners can store an encrypted digital key in Apple Wallet, allowing them to unlock, lock, and start their car using an iPhone or Apple Watch via NFC (Near Field Communication) and proximity sensors. - Broader Automotive Ecosystem: Apple Wallet currently supports digital vehicle keys for legacy and electric automakers including BMW, Rivian, Kia, Hyundai, Volvo, Polestar, and Audi. Xiaomi represents the first direct smartphone competitor to adopt Apple’s digital key standard. The integration offers distinct strategic advantages for both companies in China, which serves as Xiaomi’s primary automotive market and one of Apple’s most crucial international regions. For Apple, adding native support for popular domestic electric vehicles increases the iPhone’s utility among Chinese consumers. This strengthens platform retention at a time when software feature rollouts, such as localized Apple Intelligence, face regional schedules. For Xiaomi, interoperability ensures that its rapidly expanding electric vehicle lineup remains attractive to affluent car buyers who operate primarily within the iOS ecosystem rather than using Xiaomi smartphones. The digital car key integration is anticipated to launch publicly in upcoming mobile software releases. A full list of vehicles that support Car Keys can be found on Apple’s official CarPlay model availability webpage. Filed in . Read more about Apple, Electric Cars and Xiaomi.

Volvo Adds Crowdsourced Hazard Warnings to Latest Electric <b>Cars</b> | WhichEV.Net

Volvo is expanding the connected safety capabilities of its latest electric cars, enabling them to warn drivers about large animals, pedestrians, cyclists, roadworks and accidents that may be hidden from view. The four new alerts will be introduced through a software update for the Volvo EX60, EX90 and ES90 in Europe, the US and Canada. Volvo says the warnings could give drivers more time to slow down or take other precautions, particularly on winding roads and in poor weather. Rather than relying solely on what an individual car’s cameras and other sensors can detect directly, Volvo’s Connected Safety system uses information shared by vehicles farther along the road. Accident data can also come from traffic management centres. The update introduces a Large Animal Alert, which warns approaching drivers when an animal is detected on or close to the carriageway. Although potentially valuable in rural parts of Britain, the feature could prove even more important in countries where collisions involving elk, moose, reindeer and other large animals are relatively common. A Vulnerable Road User Alert will provide warnings when pedestrians or cyclists are detected on or near highways. The wording suggests this is primarily intended for faster roads, where an unexpected person or bicycle could present an especially serious danger. Roadwork Alert will notify drivers about approaching roadworks, while Accident Ahead Alert will use live information from connected Volvo cars or traffic management centres to identify crashes farther along the route. All four alerts are intended to extend the driver’s awareness beyond the range of the car’s own sensors and, in some cases, beyond their direct line of sight. A vehicle around a bend could, for example, identify a hazard and pass that information to cars approaching the same location. The technology does not remove the driver’s responsibility to watch the

Volvo expands <b>connected</b> safety alerts across its EV lineup

On the Dash: - Volvo is adding four new connected safety alerts to select EVs through an over-the-air update. - The alerts can warn drivers about animals, vulnerable road users, roadwork and accidents using real-time data. - Select EX90 and ES90 models also gain Apple CarPlay Spatial Audio through the update. Volvo is expanding its Connected Safety suite for select EVs, specifically the EX90, ES90, and EX60. This update allows drivers to send and receive four new safety alerts between connected vehicles, and will be available to Volvo EV drivers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, with timings that vary by model. The new alerts include warnings for: - Large animals on the road ahead - Vulnerable road users, like pedestrians and cyclists - Roadwork - Accidents Real-time data will be gathered from connected Volvo vehicles and traffic centers, with warnings to help drivers react more quickly, particularly in bad weather and poor visibility. For example, they supplement existing alerts for slippery roads and low-light situations. Currently, more than 1 million Volvo vehicles have activated connected safety features. Notably, in Europe, Volvo vehicles can share alerts with vehicles from other brands through the European Data for Road Safety ecosystem. From a dealer perspective, connected features are becoming an increasingly important aspect of the ownership experience as automakers continue to expand safety technologies through software updates. Additionally, Volvo is introducing a premium audio upgrade. The EX90 and ES90 models equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system and Dolby Atmos will now support Spatial Audio in Apple CarPlay, which delivers a multidimensional audio experience throughout the cabin using 25 high-performance speakers in equipped vehicles. This update provides owners with another feature enhancement without the need to purchase a new vehicle. Volvo’s latest update illustrates how automakers can add new