Volvo Infotainment System: Why Android Automotive Is A Game-Changer
The Volvo infotainment system has evolved significantly over the years. Some readers will remember the end of the last millennium, when a tape player, a volume knob, and a paper map made up the majority of your infotainment system. During the 2000s, more and more technology entered automobiles of all makes and models. Now, new cars ship with touch screens and onboard computers that handle music, navigation, and advanced safety features.
In the last few years, Volvo Cars has moved from the Sensus infotainment system to the Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS). This Volvo Google infotainment technology grows and evolves as time goes on, allowing it to be continuously refined. While Sensus had its high points, the change has definitely been for the better. Please read on to learn more about AAOS vs. Sensus and why the new Volvo infotainment system reigns supreme.
The Many Capabilities of AAOS
The Volvo infotainment system update has unlocked a variety of features for drivers and made the infotainment system easier to use. You can use voice commands to ask Google for a hand, whether you want the car's computer to search for nearby restaurants or skip a song on your playlist. As we shall discuss, you can also use the new system to personalize your vehicle's technology.
The power of the Volvo infotainment system extends beyond the bounds of your vehicle's cabin. You can connect your home's smart devices to your Google account, which allows you to manage them from your car. If you're heading home and want the lights on when you get back, for example, then the built-in Google technology has your back.
The new AAOS infotainment system has a number of advantages over the older Volvo Sensus system. Sensus debuted without a "home" button, sometimes making it difficult to switch between system functions. Sensus also had a limited number of things it was designed to do, which is not the case with AAOS.
One of the most appealing things about AAOS is the ability to download applications. You can find a wide variety of them available in the Google Play store, allowing you to customize your vehicle's technology. If you're an audiobook fan, there's an app for you. The same is true for music aficionados – you can download Spotify and access your playlists without your phone in the vehicle.
The Volvo Infotainment System Hardware
As of this writing in March 2024, most Volvo vehicles have a touch screen and a digital display that takes the place of traditional analog gauges. The 9-inch touch screen sits between the driver and front seat passenger – this is where you'll download apps, access music, and input navigation directions (assuming you don't use the voice controls).
The 12-inch digital display gauge allows drivers to view directions, track vehicle data (such as estimated driving range), view current phone call details, and more. Some models have customizable widgets and displays, but every new Volvo vehicle allows you to make decisions about what is displayed on this screen.
AAOS vs. Sensus
The new Volvo infotainment system is an evolution for the brand. The Volvo Sensus system offered a particular set of functions: It could pair with your phone to play music and make calls, run navigation software, and display vehicle data and safety warnings, among other things. The new AAOS system instead allows you to use your car like another smart device by downloading apps and creating your own experience.
Over-the-air software updates continue to optimize the infotainment experience for drivers of Volvo vehicles. Apps from other companies also continue to improve your options. The Waze app, for example, recently became available through the AAOS system. You get choice when you pick a vehicle with AAOS – you don't have to use Volvo navigation software, Google Maps, or Apple Maps. Instead, you get to decide which navigation software is the right fit for you.
Drive a Vehicle with AAOS Today
The team here at Volvo Cars Richmond hopes that this Volvo Google infotainment review has been helpful in explaining the evolution of technology in Volvo vehicles over the last few years. Since the AAOS debuted a few years ago, it has been continuously refined as its capabilities have expanded. Now, the revised Volvo infotainment system is available on every car in our new Volvo inventory.
When you shop at our dealership, we will work hard to help you try to get into the front seat of a new luxury vehicle. One popular path to the driver's seat is our lineup of Volvo lease deals. Leasing a vehicle allows you to pilot a brand-new luxury automobile without signing up for long-term ownership costs. As Volvo Cars continues to innovate with vehicle technology, leasing allows you to stay on the cutting edge.
Our friendly staff can help you apply for financing and answer your questions about the Volvo infotainment system. We do our best to secure competitive, low-rate automotive purchase loans for drivers in our community. We can also help you decide which automobile from the expansive Volvo lineup is the best fit for your needs.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to our team to learn more about the Volvo infotainment system. One of the best ways to understand everything it has to offer is to visit us for a test drive. All of us are excited to work with you soon – and to see the smile on your face when you realize everything that AAOS is capable of.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Volvo Cars switch from Sensus to Android Automotive OS?
Volvo Cars switched from Sensus to Android Automotive OS over the course of the early 2020s. The new infotainment system first debuted in the Volvo XC40 Recharge and spread across the lineup from there. Now, every vehicle ships with built-in Google technology that allows you to curate your own infotainment experience. Please visit us today to see this refined technology in action.
Is AAOS better than Sensus?
The Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) offers significant advantages in comparison to Sensus. While both systems are useful and intuitive, AAOS offers greater customization and a wider range of abilities. You can use AAOS to download apps from the Google Play store, for example. Sensus does not offer this same in-depth customization to drivers. AAOS will also get better with time as the software is further refined.
Is AAOS regularly updated?
The AAOS receives regular updates and can even do so over the air. You will no longer need to visit the dealership for a software update when one becomes available. This is a boon to drivers whose on-the-go lifestyle does not include much time for extra errands. That said, we hope you'll visit us at Volvo Cars Richmond to see the Volvo infotainment system for yourself.