ID 3 receives its first wireless software update
Volkswagen has officially announced the start of over-the-air updates for its all-electric ID-3 and ID-4 cars. In future, cars will no longer have to drive to the workshop to import new software.
Almost a year after the market launch of the VW ID 3 (test), the Wolfsburg-based car company has completed the wireless update function that was promised when it was announced in autumn 2019. As of Monday, the “first movers” models will initially receive new functions with an over-the-air update.
Contents
VW ID 3: Volkswagen gets its software under control
While competitors such as Tesla or BMW have been providing their vehicles with new software functions wirelessly for years, it took a little longer at Volkswagen. After allegedly “massive software problems”, the Wolfsburg-based auto giant has gradually got its software under control and, in its own words, is heralding “a paradigm shift”. The next step in the planned transformation is to develop from a “sheet metal bender” to a software-driven automotive company so as not to end up like Nokia once did, as CEO Diess warned.
The over-the-air update function serves several purposes for Volkswagen, explained Silke Bagschik, Head of Marketing & Sales for the Group’s E-Mobility division, in a call with t3n. The aim is to increase customer loyalty and satisfaction and increase both the value of the vehicles and their safety. Furthermore, the wireless update function reduces costs for customers and the manufacturer. And last but not least, the software updates would open up new business models – for example to subsequently activate additional functions for a fee. Competitors such as Tesla, BMW and Daimler are also pursuing similar approaches.
That brings the first OTA update for the VW ID 3
The first over-the-air update for the ID 3 was rolled out in March for several thousand company-owned vehicles. Now it is the turn of the vehicles of the first mover club, which had to drive their cars to the workshop one last time to make them fit for the wireless update function. According to VW, a total of 35 ID control units can be regularly updated in this way.
With the first OTA update, Volkswagen is bringing expanded functions for the ID light in the vehicle, and the environment recognition and dynamic high beam control are said to have been optimized. The manufacturer also speaks of improved usability of the infotainment system and general optimization of performance and system stability.
According to Volkswagen, the first OTA update is one of many that will provide the ID models with numerous new functions and optimizations. The software development is carried out in cooperation with the company’s subsidiary Cariad. According to the automaker, four updates per year are planned in the form of software bundles. The group has not revealed when the first functions that can be activated for a fee can be expected – there is still no schedule.
VW ID 3: The update process should feel like a smartphone
Volkswagen has also revealed how an OTA update works: The new software is downloaded via the LTE cellular network while driving – at least the vehicle must be switched on for the download. The driver does not notice anything about the actual download process. Only when the installation package, which is several gigabytes in size, has been downloaded, a message is displayed on the screen.
According to Volkswagen, the new software will only be installed once the car is parked, the lights switched off and the occupants have left the vehicle. An update process can take up to 45 minutes, depending on the scope, explains the car manufacturer.
In addition to the ID 3, the car manufacturer will also provide the ID-4 and its other ID models, which are based on its own modular electrical construction kit (MEB), with new functions via OTA updates. For models based on the older MQB (modular transverse matrix), the car manufacturer also wants to update some functions via the OTA function – but they are not as extensive as with the more modern ID vehicles. Among other things, it should be possible to update navigation, adaptive cruise control and lighting assistance in this way. It will also be possible to book on-demand functions in the future. The other ID models such as the ID 4 and ID 4 GTX will also be successively provided with OTA updates.
