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Volvo is preparing infotainment systems for the future when the driver doesn’t have to drive

Ever since the radio could be installed in a car, entertainment while motoring has been constantly evolving in tandem with the technologies of different decades. What used to be audio systems before are now called infotainment systems – providing a combination of information and entertainment of different kinds.

*In the old days, a radio in the car was the only form of entertainment on a long journey.*

In time, we’ll be travelling in cars that can operate on their own, driving safely to wherever we want to go. Without the need to control the car or even pay attention to the road ahead, the driver will have more time to do other things – read a book, watch a movie, listen to music or even play videogames. Such a scenario means that infotainment systems in cars will have to change and provide even more features and capabilities.

Volvo is already starting on this evolution and is developing next-generation infotainment systems that can be offered in the near future. For example, using Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms takes the carmaker’s Google Android Automotive-based infotainment system to the next level. By leveraging Volvo Cars’ and technology firm Qualcomm’s in-house R&D competence, the companies will improve the overall capability of Volvos powered by Google Android to become faster and more responsive.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms is designed to be a central hub for high-performance computing. It is capable of fulfilling highly demanding graphics, audio and artificial intelligence requirements in the forthcoming Polestar 3 SUV and Volvo Cars’ upcoming fully electric SUV, all while having a very low power consumption. Using the latest Snapdragon Automotive Platforms, the next generation infotainment system will be more than twice as fast, while graphics generation will be up to 10 times faster.

The continued partnership between Volvo Cars and Google will also see Volvo being the first carmaker to directly integrate its cars with Google Assistant-enabled devices. This integration basically turns cars into smart devices.

This planned direct integration allows for a seamless connection between Google Assistant and cars to date, letting Volvo drivers control functions in their car by issuing voice commands to Google Assistant-enabled home and mobile devices. By pairing their car with their Google account, drivers can directly talk to Google in their car and remotely control a variety of functionalities, such as cooling it down on a hot day or just locking the doors in case they forgot to do so.

“Volvo Car Group was first to introduce Google technology and services in our cars and we are now looking to be the first to integrate fully with Google Assistant-enabled devices – it is a natural next step in our partnership with Google,” said Henrik Green, Chief Product Officer at Volvo Cars. “This integration allows us to improve the customer experience immensely, as it gives customers the possibility to easily and securely manage their car while at home or on the go, through any personal device that has Google Assistant.”

Finally, YouTube video playback will also come to all Volvo cars with Google built-in. YouTube will be the first video platform to be featured and available for download in Volvo cars on Google Play. This is the beginning of enabling video streaming in cars. Volvo is providing YouTube video as an enjoyable way to pass the time during stop with an EV to recharge. However, mindful of safety, videos will be allowed to be played only when the car is fully stationary.

“Allowing our customers to watch videos while charging or when waiting to pick up their children from school is part of our promise to make their lives better and more enjoyable,” said Green. “With YouTube and other major streaming services coming soon, our customers can enjoy their charging break instead of seeing it as just a hassle – making electric car ownership that bit easier.”

“The car is a great venue for enjoying video and audio, so I would not be surprised if this means that people spend more time in their Volvos, even when they are not going anywhere!” added Green.

Volvo will introduce unsupervised motoring in California first

DENSO’s Third Generation Global Safety Package offers increased active safety

DENSO, a company within the Toyota Group, has developed an improved version of its Global Safety Package which is an active safety system designed to improve the safety of vehicles by giving them high sensing capability of their surroundings. The system is already in use in many Toyota Group models and this latest third generation will be offered from now on.

The Global Safety Package uses the combined performance of a millimetre-wave radar sensor and vision sensor to obtain data on the various objects ahead of the vehicle. The radar sensor detects the shapes of road objects, such as vehicles and guardrails, while the vision sensor uses a camera to detect the environment ahead of the vehicle. This data is then analysed at high speed by an on-board computer which will determine the situation ahead and whether any warnings are to be given to the drive, or actions taken to prevent an accident.

Radar Sensor
In the new Global Safety Package, the radar has a wider detection angle, longer detection range, and improved speed resolution. There are also improvements such as in-antenna design and in radio wave transmission efficiency. The wider angle of coverage can help avoid collisions at intersections, whether with other vehicles or pedestrians.

The sensor’s wider horizontal field of view also assists adaptive cruise control and lane changes over a broader speed range. Moreover, the product uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve sensing performance and assistance functions, such as headway distance control – the ability to maintain consistent distance between a preceding vehicle – and traffic sign recognition.

With reduced size and cost, this radar sensor has fewer installation requirements and can be used in more vehicle types and models. It uses fewer than half the number of parts compared to the previous generation. This has been achieved by integrating the antenna and power supply board, simplifying product structure and leveraging multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) technology, which allows for a smaller antenna with fewer channels to transmit and receive radio waves.

Vision sensor
The vision sensor is a high-sensitivity, high-resolution imager with a wider horizontal field of view and longer detection range. It employs AI technology to identify drivable areas, preceding vehicles, road signs, and other solid objects based on image data. Vehicles and pedestrians in all directions, including those ahead, behind, and to the side, can be detected.

Like the radar sensor, it has reduced size and cost. The downsizing was achieved by integrating image processing and system control functions, which reduced the number of microcomputers used. The structural design has also been adjusted to control heat emitted from the processor, while the lens design has been revised.

DENSO will continue to improve its active safety systems to eliminate road accidents and provide stress-free mobility. This will be done using cutting-edge technology with an underlying objective of pricing the systems attractively so they can be installed in more vehicles.

Daihatsu, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota to jointly develop specifications for vehicle communications devices

Maserati to officially return to racing in 2023 with a team in Formula E

Like most Italian carmakers, Maserati has motorsport in its long history. Twelve years after its founding by the Maserati brothers, Alfieri, Ernesto and Ettore, the first racing car to bear the Trident logo was the Tipo 26 which was entered in the 1926 Targa Florio in Italy. It won first place in its class with Alfieri at the wheel.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the Maserati garage built racing cars for sale all over the world, while also producing road cars with the high performance demonstrated on the racetracks. 31 years after Alfieri’s first victory, Juan Manuel Fangio won the Formula 1 World Championship with a Maserati in 1957. The last time Maserati entered a single-seater was with Maria Teresa De Filippis, the first woman to qualify in F1, who drove a 250F.

Maserati’s last appearance in racing was during the first decade of the 21^st century with the MC12. Its teams won 22 races and 14 Championship titles across Constructors’ Championships, Drivers’ Championships and Teams’ Championships in the FIA GT from 2004 to 2010.

In 2023, the brand will again be seen on the starting grid of races as it joins the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 2023 for Season 9. It will be the first Italian brand to compete in Formula E, the all-electric single-seater world championship that will be the 8^th season this year.

Maserati will be the second brand in the Stellantis Group to participate in Formula E, the other being DS from the Citroen affiliate which has been racing since 2018. The company’s racing team is now developing a new racing car which conforms to the Gen3 regulations which will see the fastest, lightest and most powerful Formula E racing car ever. The Gen3 is the world’s most efficient racing car featuring a series of industry-leading design, production and technological innovations.

Maserati’s entry into Formula E is in line with its move and commitment to electric mobility. This strategy will see the introduction of Folgore, a new sub-brand that will have a range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Folgore versions will be available for the Grecale, GranTurismo and GranCabrio, as well as the MC20.

“We are very proud to be back where we belong as protagonists in the world of racing. We are powered by passion and innovative by nature. We have a long history of world-class excellence in competition and we are ready to drive performance in the future. In the race for more performance, luxury, and innovation, Folgore is irresistible and it is the purest expression of Maserati. That’s why we decided to go back to racing in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, meeting our customers in the city centers of the world, taking the Trident forward into the future,” said Davide Grasso, CEO of Maserati.

Maserati’s confirmed entry is good news for the event’s organizers with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz ending their participation. McLaren has also indicated its interest in taking part in Formula E but has not given details of when they might start. With the accelerating impetus of electrification, some other brands might also see it useful to be in Formula E to show their strengths in the EV field.

Since inception in 2014, Formula E has provided dramatic racing action on the streets of cities around the world such as New York, Monaco, Berlin, Mexico City, London and Rome. For manufacturers like Nissan, Porsche, NIO, Mahindra, Jaguar, DS, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, developing cars for racing has led to finding new solutions in increasing energy efficiency, enhancements in battery range and advances in powertrain development.

Lamborghini set all-time sales record with 8,405 vehicles delivered worldwide in 2021

In 2011, Lamborghini sold 1,602 supercars (there was no Urus then), not a record result but the numbers were still impressive considering the financial situation in many parts of the world that year. Ten years later, in 2021, the company delivered 8,405 vehicles worldwide, the highest number ever in the history of the company. In spite of the pandemic still ongoing, sales increased by 13% on 2020.

The contributor was double-digit growth in all 3 of the macro-regions where Lamborghini is established: America (+14%), Asia Pacific (+14%) and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa, +12%). The company maintains a fairly balanced split between them in global volumes which stand at 35%, 27% and 39%, respectively.

*Urus was bestselling Lamborghini model in 2021, accounting for 59% of total sales.*

In terms of individual markets, the USA was still Lamborghini’s best market (2,472 units, +11%), while China moved into second place (935, +55%). They were followed by Germany (706, +16%) and the United Kingdom (564, +9%). There was also an increase in the figures for Lamborghini’s home market of Italy, where 359 cars were delivered in total (+3%).

Reflecting market trends, the most popular model was the Urus Super SUV, with 5,021 units delivered – almost 60% of the total volume in 2021. It was followed by the V10-powered Huracan, which saw a strong increase in sales up to 2,586, thanks to the strong impetus provided by the Huracan STO. In addition, 798 Aventadors (V12 model) were delivered all over the world.

*Huracan STO experience in China, which became the carmaker’s second biggest market in 2021.*

During the year, the company launched 3 new products – the Huracan STO – Super Trofeo Omologata, a road-legal model that was inspired by the Huracan Super Trofeo EVO and GT3 EVO racing cars; the Aventador Ultimae, final series of the Aventador model; and the Countach LPI 800-4, an unorthodox icon featuring ground-breaking design and technology that celebrated the 50th anniversary of one of the original supercars.

2021 also saw Lamborghini announcing its future electrification strategy. ‘Direzione Cor Tauri’ (Toward Cor Tauri) is the name of the path that will lead the company through the decarbonization of its future models and the manufacturing site. Throughout the product electrification process, there will be a constant focus on identifying technologies and solutions that can guarantee top performance and driving dynamics.

More than €1.5 billion will be spent over the course of 4 years, during which time Lamborghini will launch its first hybrid production model and electrify its entire range by the end of 2024. Subsequently, a fourth fully electric model is due to be added to the range in the second half of the decade.

“This record has provided confirmation of four factors for us: the solidity of our strategic plan, our brand’s outstanding international reputation, the competence and passion of our people and the exceptional professionalism and dynamism shown by our 173 dealers in 52 markets, who have continued to invest alongside us at a challenging, uncertain time,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

The sales outlook continues positively into the new year, thanks to a substantial order portfolio that already covers almost the entire production planned in 2022. Additionally, Lamborghini plans to introduce four new products during the coming 12 months.

“We are stronger than ever as we prepare to embark on a period of profound transformation and move towards an even more sustainable future. In 2022, we’ll be doing our utmost to consolidate the current performance and get ready for the arrival of our future hybrid range from 2023 onwards,” added Winkelmann.

Lamborghini’s other records that you may not know about

Hybrid power for new era of World Rally Championship starts this year

Just as the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship will see the biggest changes in technical rules in some four decades, the 50th season of the World Rally Championship (WRC) will undergo major environmental changes as new FIA technical regulations drive the series towards a more sustainable future.

Under its PurposeDriven movement, the FIA is taking an innovation-led approach to deliver sustainable motorsport. One goal is to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. An even bigger revolution concerns the drivetrain, with hybrid technology mandatory for what are known as Rally1 cars. The plug-in hybrid unit, including all necessary components and software, will be common, with the potential for more freedom of development in 2024.

In the WRC’s first-ever rallycars with hybrid powertrains, an electric motor works together with the proven 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Rally1 cars will have up to 134 ps of additional power available in certain situations.

The unique Rally1 hybrid system has three principal modes: Full Electric Mode in which cars will have full electric range, Stage Start Mode when the system’s full power will be available, and Stage Mode in which teams and drivers will be able to create up to three personalised ‘maps’ to decide how to deploy the hybrid power. The system also provides the opportunity to reduce emissions locally via full electric driving on road sections in built-up areas.

Fundamental revisions to the technical regulations also see the top-tier Rally1 class for manufacturer teams bringing a substantial gain in crew safety with an upgraded safety cell chassis. There will also be more equality between competitors due to a new design approach.

Another milestone is the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel, a first for any FIA World Championship. Part of the FIA’s race-to-road strategy is to implement sustainable energy sources across its motorsport disciplines to reduce CO₂ emissions.

The renewable fuel from P1 Racing Fuels is a blend of synthetic and bio-derived components. This green fuel will be mandatory to all top-tier competitors at WRC events. In its development, P1 Racing Fuels will collaborate with global energy and chemical experts Aramco on the formulation of advanced-generation biofuels and sustainable synthetic fuels derived from captured CO₂ and low-carbon hydrogen.

Introducing hybrid powertrains has been a key part in ensuring Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport Ford are fully committed to the WRC from 2022 to 2024. All three teams have been testing their new cars which will debut in competition at the Rallye Monte-Carlo, the opening round of the 2022 season, next week.

*(Above and below) Toyota GR Yaris Rally1*

The new generation of Rally1 cars from the 3 manufacturers were shown together for the first time in Austria yesterday at a special ceremony that marked the beginning of a new era in rallying. In the presence of new FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, reigning champions TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, Hyundai Motorsport and M-Sport Ford unveiled their all-new rallycars which will compete across 13 rounds on 4 continents.

*(Above and below) Hyundai i20 N Rally1*

*(Above and below) M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1*

“Today’s launch of the new Rally1 era is a very proud and significant moment for the FIA and entire rally family and I would like to congratulate WRC Promoter for delivering a great show at the start of the championship’s 50th anniversary season,” said Ben Sulayem, a former WRC competitor himself. “The enthusiasm for the FIA’s new technical regulations has been very much in evidence in recent months and the event further underlined the momentum coming from the teams and manufacturers, with Rallye Monte-Carlo just a few days away.”

New Rally1 category with hybrid technology for World Rally Championship in 2022

STI builds 1,088 ps electric prototype as a near-future motorsport study project

Subaru Tecnica International, the carmaker’s motorsports division which Subaru fans know more as ‘STI’, is looking ahead to the era of electrified vehicles, and inevitably a time will come when motorsports will go fully electric. As it is, there is already a single-seater all-electric series (Formula E) and in the recently-ended Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, Audi entered three electrically-powered rallycars.

To prepare for the new era, STI has initiated the E-RA Challenge Project as a near-future motorsport study project. This project (‘E-RA’ stands for ‘Electric-Record-Attempt’) has the aim of gaining experience and training of new technologies in the world of motorsports in the carbon-neutral era. The insights gained from this project will help Subaru contribute to the future electrified society.

To complement the studies that will be carried out, STI has developed the STI E-RA concept car which is on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon this weekend. The first goal of this model is to try to record a lap time of 400 seconds (6 minutes 40 seconds) in a time attack at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit from 2023 onwards. Before then, driving tests will be conducted at circuits in Japan during 2022 as part of the development program.

Subaru’s strength and long experience in in all-wheel control technology will be used to develop systems for the control of the high outputs. With 4 motors, these will reach maximum system output level of 800 kW (1,088 ps) and reach the road using proprietary 4-wheel torque vectoring technology

The unique torque vectoring system is a technology that equalizes the balance to the grip limit of each of the 4 wheels with a driver-focused control system. It raises the grip level to the maximum and stabilizes car body position.

In order to obtain the maximum effect, the best way is to independently apply the optimum drive torque to the 4 wheels as the load shifts. To realize this, the system calculates the signals from sensors in wheel speed, vehicle speed, steering angle, g-force, yaw rate, brake pressure, and wheel load, determines the drive/braking torque of each wheel to gain a target stability factor, and provides instructions to the inverter.

For the motors, a high-torque high-revolution type with an integrated inverter and a gear for hyper EVs, which were developed and supplied by Yamaha Motor have been adopted. This motor is driven by a lithium-ion battery with a storage capacity of 60 kWh.

The structure where the motors are directly attached to the 4 wheels enables a high level of responsiveness and a direct control of the yaw of the car body. Since this is considered to be a system which can maximize a vehicle’s kinetic performance, and is included in the regulations for future motorsport (FIA E-GT), STI will follow the direction for development.

Subaru Solterra EV unveiled in Japan, to go on sale in mid-2022

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Latest News

Volvo is preparing infotainment systems for the future when the driver doesn’t have to drive

DENSO’s Third Generation Global Safety Package offers increased active safety

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Hybrid power for new era of World Rally Championship starts this year

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