Hi everybody,
I am thinking of buying a XC60 and I see how many functions have been "delegated" to the infotainment system.
I am a bit worried that screen-based solution will get old (in terms of functions, user interface, design) much faster than the rest of the car. If you think about that, even a simple icon design or "gesture" of 5 years ago looks very outdated today, because those things evolve much faster than a well designed ****.
Anyway, given also that Volvo wants to move to a full android system next year, I would like to ask: is the Sensus system updated regularly? Will it be possible to download updates? Maybe even update to the new android system? I know it's hard to say, but what is the track record of volvo in terms of system updates?

Thanks!

 

I have not noticed an update to Sensus since I've had my 2018 (over a year), they could be happening over the air (cellular) and I haven't noticed. I doubt that when they switch to Andriod updates will much more frequent, reliable automotive software is hard to do, it is not a core competency of most car manufacturers. Automotive software is no longer something that lives in the head unit of the entertainment system, or just internally in control systems, it is core system software that interfaces with all the cars user systems. There are probably realtime aspects to the software too that increase the level of difficulty of writing reliable software. They also tend to have to rely on hardware that can withstand a lot of heat, which is often specialized for the industry, so running Android on the same ARM processor as the current phone is probably not what is going to happen.

Probably the only car manufacturer right now that does have user/system software as a core competency is Tesla.

 

I can add that with almost 2 years of owning a new XC60 the infosystem is rarely updated, maybe some minor updates like on a map, but overall I've been bit disappointed that it doesn't improve, as I was thinking that was the whole point of software based over-the-air-updates n all that.

The "delegated" functions to the screen were an odd choice for me, I often fumble around trying to turn something on or off and are forced to look at the screen for a good few seconds whilst driving, which was a weird move from super-safe Volvo. Totally agree that an awesome button design lasts the test of the time.

I therefore expected at least the voice control to be the saviour, but that thing is really rubbish and even with some updates just nowhere near what the rest of the tech world has done with voice (Google, apple, Amazon).

I hope the new android based system is available as an upgrade too! But I doubt it, as previous guy was writing about, it's so integrated and specialist, I figure if they didn't have the interest in updating their existing system then they won't be interested (or to be fair, take the risk or cost) to overhaul with a totally new system.

If I'm wrong, I'll be happy!

Still an awesome car though

 

Same here, in almost 2 years of ownership, very few minor updates, but nothing worth talking about, bit of a shame really as things like voice control get so much better every week and unfortunately the voice control is reeeeally bad in the XC60.

Also hope the android updates come to our models but then can't see it coming, the risk and the cost being just too much. Also removes the incentive for us guys to upgrade in the future!

And totally agree, you cannot beat a well design proper button / **** / switch!

 

. Take it from someone that put an XC60 T8 on-order this week, and has owned a Tesla Model S for 4 years. OTA (over-the-air) updates can be good and bad.

One general consideration is that at least with Tesla, you don’t know what’s in the update until after you’ve installed it, unless someone on a forum has found out first. If you do accept, you don’t necessarily get any release notes to know what did change — I have not in the past two updates in the last month. You can “defer” most updates that come to you via WiFi or OTA, but it will keep nagging you to accept if you do. The notable exception is Tesla can force push an update to the fleet (which may give you more than you want), as IIRC they’ve done maybe twice since I’ve owned mine to disable a flawed update or add a safety improvement like the “hands-required on the wheel most of the time” feature when you’re on Auto-Pilot within days of those initial YouTube videos hitting the news back in the day with driver idiots that turned AP on and jumped into the back seat with no driver at the wheel. ...so sad.

To the OP’s point, I’ve received some useful new functionality that wasn’t there when I bought the car, like improvements to Autopilot, routing to Superchargers, and a really useful function that uses geofencing with Homelink to automatically open my garage door as I approach my driveway on the street, and automatically closes the door as I back halfway out my driveway without my needing to press a button on the rearview mirror — a great use of tech the car already had, with a firmware update at no charge. I’ve also (sadly) received so many “Easter Eggs” and lately new old-style Atari Games that run on the center display that may be fun for the techies or to get some free marketing hype, but do little for improving the true driver experience and are nothing I have ever used more than to see they were there.

As has been suggested, there is also a point where a mfgr either can’t (e.g. complexity, lack of memory or hardware features that newer vehicles have), or isn’t financially incented to provide more functionality because they ultimately do want you to buy a new vehicle from them with the latest and greatest features. Tesla has been good delivering new functions, but I know the now relatively slow processor in my center console and only 2GB of memory to house all the functionality — compared to vehicles produced even 18 months after mine, let alone what Model 3 now has, has limited what they can keep providing to my “old” tech car. Being an x-software/tech guy that I am, the combinations and need for testing become ever complex — I’m sure potentially slowing deployment across the fleet if the mfgr isn’t careful. Beyond those Easter Eggs and Games, new functionality in my car has definitely slowed at an increasing pace as the newer vehicles with more capability have been introduced. I accept and get all that, but not everyone may consider it.

But I’ve also had situations where the UI or functionality has changed —for me— for the worse. E.g.

• I of course did a test drive, significant research, and knew pretty much what I was getting when I ordered, and took delivery a month later. About 30 days after that, Tesla redesigned the entire UI and sent it out OTA. There were plenty of new functions I enjoyed. The problem for me (because I suspect my torso is a couple inches or so longer, compared to my inch or so shorter legs than the average 5’ 11” person), I can no longer see any of the idiot lights across the top of the instrument panel OR most of the MPH when I have the seat and steering wheel adjusted for my best comfort as it was before the update, because they became covered by the top of the steering wheel as the instrument panel UI was redesigned. I have to now keep the steering wheel higher to see the lower 3/4 of the MPH and still occasionally try to remember to duck my head to see if any idiot lights may have come on, and need to do a lot more shoulder stretches on long drives than I ever had to in my Tesla on day or delivery or any of my former rides. For me, I may not always like it, but I can get used to evolving UI changes on the center display ... but am a lot more sensitive to instrument panel changes that generally have the most important data and much I consider basic safety-related needs to drive a vehicle.
• Tesla has become more focused on the less-costly mass-market Model 3 with it’s single smaller display, and a while back again changed the UI in Model S that have both the instrument panel behind the steering wheel and the oversized center display to bring it more towards the look and feel the Model 3 UI has. I have physical options and capability in my Model S like a pano moon roof that are no longer sold on any vehicle from Tesla — I can still open, tilt, and close it, but can’t open it just part way to my level of specification as I do with manual controls on other cars, or I could in the first few years I owned my MS. I now live with Tesla’s couple of presets — at least they didn’t make the moonroof stay permanently closed and eliminate the control (yet — AH HA).

Tesla’s ability to change nearly anything across the fleet is best-of-breed in the industry, but it also sets an expection with owner’s like me that things will, or should, always get better. One of my pet peeves has become the long-standing media player and other occasional failures that perhaps not everyone cares about, but in Tesla forums a lot more owners than I certainly do. Some of the problems have existed for the 4 years I’ve owned my Tesla. We’ve tried every which way from Sunday to bring the problems and suggestions for resolution to Tesla’s attention in a business-like way to no-avail — all the while, Tesla spends time and effort to delivery and promote nonsensical Easter Eggs and Atari Games. Again, would Volvo do that? I sorta doubt it being a mature company. I know and accept that not all mfgrs will always fix every problem in a particular model or MY — it is a business after all — but hopefully you get how an owner’s expectation of even better perfection is likely different when just the ability to make on-the-fly changes IS available.

That was really long-winded. Sorry, but to me it’s a complex subjective topic informed buyers like yourself just need to consider. My net? The ability to have automobile UI’s and functionality change post-sale may provide things the owner considers good, but also may be something you become disappointed with — there is also something to be said about knowing exactly what you are getting before you first pay for it. Good luck with your decision.

 

Very insightful and appreciate the time you took to share your experiences, this is most informative read I've had in ages!

 

Glad it was useful — was worried I went overboard when I realized how long I had been typing!

 

I had my 20k mile service last week and software updates applied (I've had the xc60 since Dec. 2017). Some parts of Sensus seems to be updated, the dashboard display has a few new icons like for auto stop, when it powers on it goes through a checklist of all the cars functions and green lights them (very subtle checklist, you miss it if you are not watching). A few other minor things. Sensus seems to boot up faster maybe, I'm not sure. I'll be able to tell after it sits in the hot parking lot at work all day this week. Overall though, no major updates on the surface.

However, seems Volvo is charging for these updates now ($70), unless they are needed to fix a problem. I told the service center sometimes Sensus crashes and reboots mid driving, turning off the cruise control and the the dashboard goes blank while it restarts. This got me the update under warranty.

 

Great info. Thanks all for the insight. I have a service appointment Tuesday at my local Volvo dealer. Assuming, based on what I've been reading in the posts, I'll be getting an update. First I've heard of them charging for updates. Not thrilled about that. Plan on making a bit of a stink about that. If Volvo is creating updates, I assume it to update something and that should be "included" in the purchase price.

 

These updates should be free, I've certainly not paid for them (over in Europe), should be included in the warranty as you rightly say these have to have fixed not just extra features therefore a fix is covered under warranty

 

Apparently this is new in this quarter in the U.S. There is a difference between fixing warranty issues verses providing new features, so I can see the argument that new features are not free. They did update the system to address a warranty problem, so they are not denying warranty issues.

 

Interesting, question is, can they / do they separate the releases between fixes and features?

Frommy working experience, whenever there are new features to be released, it's a perfect excuse to fix a few things on the quiet!

So my gut feeling + experience with software releases + experience with the sensus software is... Don't pay for any software updates, the most important should come for free and no other additional features have been released anyway!

Now paying for the big android update, if available... Hmmm that's worth 70 dollars imho!

 

Hey everyone,
just wondering if anyone else noticed that Volvo have removed the on/off feature to switch off sound compensation feature on senses?? It is very annoying when your radio volume goes up & down with your speed. It's really pissing me off!!.. The feature was there before the update now it's not, I car back to dealership to see if they could figure it out but told me it is no longer there??.. It is the most useless Feature I have ever encountered & I want it off!..

 

This was removed as part of the update and the dealer cannot do anything about it.

 

Hey buddy,
So you saying I have to put up with the volume going up & down all the time?.. How Annoying!.. What a stupid feature to have!..

Peter

 

Yep, I emailed volvo about the music going quieter when u slow down...and thats just the way it is now!! Even many el-cheapo cars one can click a box and stop that feature.....Maybe if more complain they will add it to an update.

 

Hey,
don't worry, I'll be ringing Volvo customer care on Monday & I will keep hassling them until they get the message.. I hope every one else does the same.. There is no reason for this feature & you should be able to decide Wether or not to use it..
Peter

 

Hmm. When you say "Sensus update" is this the same as a "Software Update"? I have a 2015 XC60 and last year asked the dealer about doing a software update, and he said there has never been a software update released for my car.

 

Hi,

BEforehands thanks for your help in this matter.

I have a XC60 2012 imported from Europe to USA, right now i'm in Colombia and i have my Navigation System with USA maps and the activation code related to this maps, however, i have south america maps but when i try to install this maps, the screen show me that the system needs the activation code for this maps but i don't know when can i get it...i appreicate if someone can help me to give me the details where i can find it.

thks

Jk