The advent of electric mobility isn’t the only big change cars are facing. In fact, today cars look more and more like smartphones and just like mobile devices can be updated with the introduction of new features and improvements. At the beginning of July, Volkswagen had announced the start of the distribution of the first OTA updates dedicated to its ID.3 and ID.4.
However, the updates were reserved for customers who had joined the ID. First Movers Club when purchasing their electric car. Now, the automaker has announced that the update is available for all of its ID family cars. Anyone who bought an ID.3, an ID.4 and an ID.4 GTX will be able to download and install the update.
The updates are developed in close collaboration with CARIAD, the Volkswagen Group company that deals with the software. The innovations that this update introduces are essentially those that had arrived a few months ago to the customers who are part of the ID. First Movers Club. So, we have the introduction of ID. Software 2.3. Then there will be improvements to the ID. Light, i.e. the light strip located at the bottom of the windshield to provide the driver with visual feedback to help him drive more efficiently.
Then comes an improvement in the image processing of the multifunction camera. Now, it will be able to recognize motorcycles and other road users more quickly. There is also better management of the dynamic control of the high beams in order to have greater precision of the light beam. The update also introduces some improvements to the graphical interface of the infotainment.
While this isn’t big news, it’s just a taste of what’s to come in the future. Volkswagen, in fact, has reiterated once again that it intends to release new updates every 12 weeks or so. All these updates will be free and will allow the cars to always have the latest features. At the same time, the manufacturer also makes it known that it is evaluating the possibility of offering paid functions and services.
For example, depending on the needs, even for a short period of time, the customer can enable functions such as Travel Assist or increase autonomy. A new business that Volkswagen believes could be worth hundreds of millions of euros in additional revenue over the next few years.