Volvo Cars is expanding its software-defined vehicle capabilities with a new update that adds four Connected Safety alerts designed to give drivers earlier warnings about hazards ahead.
The same update also brings Apple CarPlay Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos to the Volvo EX90, adding a more immersive audio experience to the electric SUV.
The latest update highlights Volvo’s approach to improving vehicles through software after they leave the factory, adding new capabilities without requiring a hardware change.
Four New Connected Safety Alerts
Volvo first introduced its Connected Safety technology in 2016. The system uses real-time information shared between connected vehicles to warn drivers about hazards on the road.
The latest software update adds four new alerts: Large Animal Alert, Vulnerable Road User Alert, Roadwork Alert and Accident Ahead Alert.
Large Animal Alert can notify drivers when a large animal is detected on or near the road ahead. Vulnerable Road User Alert is designed to warn about pedestrians and cyclists detected on or near highways.
Roadwork Alert provides an early warning when road construction is detected ahead, while Accident Ahead Alert uses real-time information from connected Volvo vehicles and traffic management centres to notify drivers about crashes further along the route.
These alerts are particularly useful when visibility is limited, including on winding roads, during poor weather or when hazards are difficult to spot until a driver is close to them.
The new features complement Volvo’s existing Slippery Road Alert and Hazard Light Alert systems.
More Than 1 Million Volvo Cars Connected
Volvo says more than 1 million of its vehicles now have Connected Safety technology activated. The system is also part of the wider European Data for Road Safety ecosystem.
Through this ecosystem, relevant hazard information can be shared beyond Volvo vehicles, including with cars from other manufacturers and national traffic management centres. The goal is to create a broader network in which vehicles can warn drivers about developing hazards before they become immediately visible.
The new Connected Safety features are available in the Volvo EX90 and upcoming Volvo EX60, further expanding the safety technology available in Volvo’s latest generation of vehicles.
Volvo EX90 Gets Spatial Audio With Dolby Atmos
The software update also improves the entertainment experience in the Volvo EX90 by adding Spatial Audio support through Apple CarPlay.
When paired with the EX90’s optional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, which features 25 high-performance speakers, Spatial Audio powered by Dolby Atmos creates a more immersive soundstage throughout the cabin.
Music, vocals and other audio content can appear to come from different positions around the vehicle rather than simply playing through conventional stereo channels. The technology is designed to add greater depth and detail to music, live performances and podcasts.
For EX90 owners, the feature demonstrates how software updates can improve not only vehicle safety but also everyday comfort and entertainment.
Software Is Becoming a Bigger Part of EV Ownership
The latest Volvo update is another example of how modern electric vehicles are increasingly becoming software-defined products.
Rather than relying exclusively on the features installed when a vehicle is built, software updates can introduce new safety functions, connectivity features and improvements throughout the vehicle’s life.
Volvo says S&P Global Mobility recently recognised the company as the only legacy automaker to achieve Level 5 capability in software-defined cars. The latest update illustrates that strategy in practice, with the EX90 gaining additional safety functionality and enhanced Apple CarPlay audio capabilities over time.
As connected vehicles become more common, real-time data sharing could play an increasingly important role in helping drivers identify hazards earlier. For EV owners, meanwhile, the ability to gain new capabilities through software updates is becoming an increasingly important part of the ownership experience.
