Hands-on-Tech - Volvo XC90 | Automotive Industry Analysis | just-auto

October 24, 2017

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XC90's Android home screen

The HMI of the Sensus system is the largest on the market, second only to Tesla's controversial 17-inch display. At 9 inches, the display has been configured to ensure that the driver always has access to all four main functions. Touch the capacitive screen to expand every function such as audio, phone, navigation or media. The display provides pinch, zoom, and swipe gestures, allowing you to move between pages even with leather or wool gloves.

The 8-inch integrated cluster instrument that can be upgraded to 12.3 inches provides more line-of-sight connection control. Navigation, voice-controlled translation (the system will repeat the words it thinks it has heard) can be seen on a larger screen. At first, the steering control seemed too comprehensive. However, once the driver becomes more familiar, the combination of a mouse-like scroll wheel and console-style arrows will make navigating the menu options easy enough. A head-up display (HUD) is also provided. Above the steering wheel, a small projector shows the speed limit, speed and main navigation instructions on the windshield.

Volvo cooperated with Nuance to develop a voice control system. We scored 4/5 for grammar and 3 for accuracy, of which 5 points are 100% effective and 1 point means poor function. From more than 200 natural-sounding phrases, including variants for the same command, such as "I'm hot" and "lower temperature", the system's understanding is very accurate. In fact, the system can operate normally in most cases. Volvo helped to integrate a series of commands that can be used in the digital manual of the Sensus system. Using these specific commands is the key to getting the most benefit from the system, although the computer does become familiar with how you express these expressions over time.

The system cannot recognize "Navigate to Oxford Service", although once we adopt the British-like RP accent (Editor: the author has a northern accent), it can be understood as "Navigate to Oxford". The voice-controlled phone test is more successful. Volvo customers can choose to configure the "first name, last name" of the contact, and vice versa. No matter which method you choose, using the same format will make voice control more accurate. Although the system can handle Western names such as Hannah and James very well, it has encountered some unusual names, such as the Lithuanian surname "Mikalajunas", where "J" sounds like " Y", and to some extent make "Ed Wiseman" a telegraph writer will be happy to hear the news of "Calling Wife". 

No matter what the system thinks it has heard, it will provide the sentence intuitively on the cockpit screen after processing. Although the details are small, this is useful for understanding what the system is hearing and helps the driver learn to get the most from the voice recognition function. Volvo's system provides a voice response function, where the response provides options such as "please select from the list or say cancel", which helps simplify operations.

In the ten areas of traditional main switch equipment, including climate control, clock and seat heating, the Volvo system has now reached a 35% digital level. Safety features (such as hazard lights and front and rear screen heat) maintain physical state, as do CD controls and glove box channels. However, in the future, we hope to see more of these functions be digitally controlled. 

Volvo has made some progress in "connected switchgear", which is defined as controls that provide customers with more functions you expect to see on a mobile phone, tablet or desktop. Screen brightness, factory reset and language selection are now fully integrated parts of the package. However, Sensus has not yet provided privacy preferences, cabin overheating control (providing comfort for pets) or as Tesla's full ADAS customization.

Currently, 5 of the 13 models in the series provide modems, but Volvo hopes to fully integrate 100% of the functions into the modems by 2020. It does not integrate a SIM card, but an optional upgrade. Unlike many other manufacturers, Volvo itself does not provide data contracts. Instead, customers may obtain data packages from their current mobile service providers and can easily install a SIM card through a dock located at the back of the car. This then allows customers to upgrade to Volvo OnCall, emergency service and smartphone companion apps.

The Bluetooth connection for phone and media usage is very simple, and it is easy to connect to Android. The workload of connecting to the iPhone is a little bit more, but it can be connected eventually. However, if the customer upgrades to CarPlay, since the connection is made via a USB cable, this is not a problem.

Volvo is the first manufacturer to adopt Apple CarPlay. Since then, Android Auto has been introduced into the 90 series. The upgrade cost is £300, which includes the installation of a second USB port. Other functions (for example, WiFi hotspots that support up to 8 devices) can only be used after inserting the SIM card and enabling the modem. This is definitely worth doing. Since Siri has all the discussions, running Apple CarPlay can view the data very quickly. Enable reading by dictation and send messages hands-free.

The modem can also be connected to public and private networks. If you can’t park your car close enough to your home WiFi, you can use the public network by setting your phone’s WiFi hotspot, or connect your car’s system to your phone. Since all software upgrades are currently only available during vehicle maintenance, you don’t need to worry about background downloads that will exhaust all data. The application will be updated wirelessly, but Volvo's system will not provide OTA updates for vehicle health or core software for at least six months.

There are currently nine applications available on the Volvo platform. Volvo is the first company to integrate Spotify. Since then, other manufacturers have followed suit. The transition between these applications is sometimes clumsy and slow, and not all applications can be controlled by voice. This is a breakdown of the applications provided in XC90:

It is worth remembering that Volvo is not entirely responsible for the functionality or user experience of third-party applications, but the company will choose whom to work with. WikiLocation attracted the most attention in our tests. The app reads trivia cross-referenced with your location from Wikipages. The description of "a building classified as EyeEye" caught people's attention. Although humorous, this basic error proves the current flaws of the technology.

Volvo has partnered with Bowers and Wilkins to provide advanced audio upgrades. At £3,000 above the price of a car, it’s not cheap. For audiophiles, it is worth it. The high-quality audio package allows the driver to easily configure the audio preferences to reproduce the listening experience of the recording studio in the Gothenburg Concert Hall, smaller stage or auditorium performance. They are very easy to use, and if you are not familiar with getting the best results manually from these settings, there is no need to mix the treble, midrange and bass. The acoustic configuration provides such a definition, and it is hard to imagine any customer who did not choose this upgrade choose this vehicle.

The CD player has been upgraded for £100 and can be conveniently located on the armrest between the driver and passenger. A USB port and 12V socket can be found. Provide DAB broadcasting, and AM/FM. There is also a second 12V socket on the rear with the right accessories to allow customers to increase the number of USB ports in this large family car.

Navigation is European, provides lifetime updates, provided by HERE. According to the traffic, the ETA provided by the route is slightly wrong, but the route can be selected. Menu nesting means that as long as the location is recognized for the first time, the steps to set the destination can be reduced to only six. 

We use "Ripley" in Kent as one of our destination towns. Volvo's navigation system provides two types of input-touch screen handwriting input and keyboard input, which can be easily switched through the number buttons on the left. However, we noticed that typing "Ripley" on the keyboard launches a drop-down menu of options, and as each letter is typed (like a Google search) it will be populated in a predictive manner. However, we did not get the same result for "Ripley" when entering the town name on the handwritten touch screen. In fact, we have no results at all. Although other towns can be found, it seems that the two inputs are not called from the same menu on the backend. This is a small problem that can be easily solved. However, since Volvo does not provide over-the-air updates, customers will have to wait until the next service to resolve this small problem.

When the system cannot identify the town in this way, you definitely need a postal code. Prompt your phone to use Google. In addition, you must insert a space in the postal code. As a heavy Google user, even spelling errors will be calculated instantly. This particularity is frustrating. In other words, once you are ready to set off, adding waypoints via voice control is very simple.

Although the built-in POI is very comprehensive and can provide a variety of options from accommodation, bars and restaurants to healthcare, shopping, sports, leisure and tourism, it’s a bit strange that you can’t find "public toilets" under public facilities or anywhere. other things. In addition, there are nine subcategories to choose from, and more subject areas are provided under them, and menu nesting is very intense. 

We rated 4 out of 5 ratings of Sensus navigation as intuitive design, with 4 indicating excellent presentation, minimal nesting, and a fairly natural user experience.

Volvo has a proven track record of implementing safety features first. As you wish, features such as city safety, cross-traffic alert and lane keeping assist can warn the driver of imminent danger and take control at the last moment (if the driver does not do so). 

The advanced adaptive cruise control system is comfortable, but SAE's level of automation is still only 2, limited by regulations and Volvo's continued commitment to safety.

Volvo On Call is a subscription-based service that allows drivers to report malfunctions or proactively contact in the event of a collision. Since it is not always safe to stay in the car, the development of a smartphone application has enabled Volvo to move the physical SOS and OnCall buttons in the roof control panel to the driver's phone. Now, the driver can leave the car to find a safer location for troubleshooting. The development of the app also allows Volvo to integrate telematics functions such as remote lock and vehicle location finder with horn and light alarm.

There is a lot of information in Sensus. You can circumvent most of this information by setting up a driver profile. The driver profile can remember your seat position, favorite position and audio preferences. The "Settings" menu contains a manual on how to use the entire Sensus system. The manual also provides non-voice usage videos.

Volvo has won awards for its highly intuitive infotainment system. The user experience is created through extensive testing, research and customer interviews worldwide. The company is also committed to safety. Although providing multiple options on-site (for example, three methods to change the temperature of a vehicle) may overwhelm some customers, the lack of standardization across the industry means that automakers are under pressure to provide drivers with integrated user experience All my personal preferences. 

*This article is an excerpt from a report that first appeared in our QUBE service.

We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Volvo's connectivity and HMI. 

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