The Future Is Now - Volvo Cars and Microsoft Enable People to Talk to Their Cars
Poster: SySAdmin
Posted on January 5, 2016 at 6:21:01 AM
The Future Is Now - Volvo Cars and Microsoft Enable People to Talk to Their Cars
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, January 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
- With photo
More than 33 years after the popular American TV show Knight Rider showed David 'The
Hoff' Hasselhoff talking to his car KITT, Volvo and Microsoft are launching a
wearable-enabled voice control system.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk
Volvo owners will be able to talk to their car via their Microsoft Band 2, allowing
them to instruct their vehicle to perform tasks including setting the navigation, starting
the heater, locking the doors, flashing the lights or sounding the horn via Volvo's mobile
app Volvo on Call and the connected wearable device.
In November 2015 Volvo and Microsoft announced
[https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media/pressreleases/169675/volvo-cars-to-develop-next-generation-automotive-technologies-with-microsoft ]
their high-profile
collaboration with the first automotive application of HoloLens technology. HoloLens is
the world's first fully untethered holographic computer, which could be used in future to
redefine how customers first encounter, explore and even buy cars. Now the two companies
are delivering remote voice control for Volvo cars via the Microsoft Band 2 as another
proof-point in their ambition to jointly develop next generation automotive technologies.
"Volvo is intent on making the car experience as easy and convenient as possible by
utilising the latest technology in the most relevant and inspiring ways. With voice
control we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible with digital
assistant functionalities," said Thomas Mueller, Vice President Electrics/Electronics &
E-Propulsion at Volvo Car Group.
In recent times Volvo Cars has begun to focus closely on innovations outside the
traditional automotive arena, keen on opening up potential partnerships and new business
models.
"When innovating we are not interested in technology for the sake of technology. If a
technology does not make a customer's life easier, better, safer or more fun, we don't use
it. Let's face it - who hasn't dreamed of talking to their car via a wrist worn wearable?"
said Klas Bendrik Senior Vice President and Group Chief Information Officer at Volvo Car
Group.
"Our ongoing partnership with Volvo continues to bring ground breaking technology to
enhance the automotive experience," said Peggy Johnson, Executive Vice President of
business development at Microsoft. "Together with Volvo, we're just beginning to
understand the potential that technology has to improve driver safety and productivity."
The new possibility to connect to a Volvo with voice control through Microsoft Band 2
will be available for customers in Volvo on Call enabled markets in spring 2016.
Note to Editors:Â
Launched in 2001, Volvo on Call became one of first ever car-based telematics systems
in the world, providing both safety, security and tracking services in the car in case of
accident, breakdown or theft using a car-installed SIM card. The latest iteration of Volvo
on Call still provides the original safety functions as well as a broad range of car and
service related functionality.
Today Volvo on Call is available in the following markets: USA, Canada, China, Sweden,
UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Spain,
Portugal, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Russia, Poland and Brazil.
Read more about recent additions to Volvo On Call functionality.
[https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media/pressreleases/163015/control-your-volvo-car-from-your-apple-watch ]
Microsoft Band 2 enables you to live healthier by tracking your heart rate, exercise,
calorie burn and sleep quality. The new Microsoft Band helps you reach your fitness goals,
with 11 advanced sensors that provide you insights and data, whether running, biking,
golfing or at the gym; across iOS, Android, or Windows devices.
Microsoft Band 2 empowers you to stay connected while on the go, thanks to
customizable email, text, calendar, call alerts and social updates.
Volvo Car Group in 2014Â
For the 2014 financial year, Volvo Car Group recorded an operating profit of 2,252
MSEK (1,919 MSEK in 2013). Revenue over the period amounted to 129,959 MSEK (122,245
MSEK). For the full year 2014, global sales reached a record 465,866 cars, an increase of
8.9 per cent versus 2013. The record sales and operating profit cleared the way for Volvo
Car Group to continue investing in its global transformation plan. Â
About Volvo Car GroupÂ
Volvo has been in operation since 1927. Today, Volvo Cars is one of the most
well-known and respected car brands in the world with sales of 465,866 in 2014 in about
100 countries. Volvo Cars has been under the ownership of the Zhejiang Geely Holding
(Geely Holding) of China since 2010. It formed part of the Swedish Volvo Group until 1999,
when the company was bought by Ford Motor Company of the US. In 2010, Volvo Cars was
acquired by Geely Holding.Â
As of December 2014, Volvo Cars had over 26,000 employees worldwide. Volvo Cars head
office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in
Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars head office for China is located in Shanghai. The company's
main car production plants are located in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium) and Chengdu
(China), while engines are manufactured in Skovde (Sweden) and Zhangjiakou (China) and
body components in Olofstrom (Sweden).Â
A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be
downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at
http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.
Contact: Sascha Heiniger, Communication Manager Connected Cars, Tel: +46-723-71-79-61,
sascha.heiniger@volvocars.com
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/683630 )
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/318807 )
Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/683630
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/318807
Video:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/683630
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/318807
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/683630
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/318807
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Video:http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk
Volvo Car Group
CONTACT: .
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, January 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
- With photo
More than 33 years after the popular American TV show Knight Rider showed David 'The
Hoff' Hasselhoff talking to his car KITT, Volvo and Microsoft are launching a
wearable-enabled voice control system.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk
Volvo owners will be able to talk to their car via their Microsoft Band 2, allowing
them to instruct their vehicle to perform tasks including setting the navigation, starting
the heater, locking the doors, flashing the lights or sounding the horn via Volvo's mobile
app Volvo on Call and the connected wearable device.
In November 2015 Volvo and Microsoft announced
[https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media/pressreleases/169675/volvo-cars-to-develop-next-generation-automotive-technologies-with-microsoft ]
their high-profile
collaboration with the first automotive application of HoloLens technology. HoloLens is
the world's first fully untethered holographic computer, which could be used in future to
redefine how customers first encounter, explore and even buy cars. Now the two companies
are delivering remote voice control for Volvo cars via the Microsoft Band 2 as another
proof-point in their ambition to jointly develop next generation automotive technologies.
"Volvo is intent on making the car experience as easy and convenient as possible by
utilising the latest technology in the most relevant and inspiring ways. With voice
control we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible with digital
assistant functionalities," said Thomas Mueller, Vice President Electrics/Electronics &
E-Propulsion at Volvo Car Group.
In recent times Volvo Cars has begun to focus closely on innovations outside the
traditional automotive arena, keen on opening up potential partnerships and new business
models.
"When innovating we are not interested in technology for the sake of technology. If a
technology does not make a customer's life easier, better, safer or more fun, we don't use
it. Let's face it - who hasn't dreamed of talking to their car via a wrist worn wearable?"
said Klas Bendrik Senior Vice President and Group Chief Information Officer at Volvo Car
Group.
"Our ongoing partnership with Volvo continues to bring ground breaking technology to
enhance the automotive experience," said Peggy Johnson, Executive Vice President of
business development at Microsoft. "Together with Volvo, we're just beginning to
understand the potential that technology has to improve driver safety and productivity."
The new possibility to connect to a Volvo with voice control through Microsoft Band 2
will be available for customers in Volvo on Call enabled markets in spring 2016.
Note to Editors:Â
Launched in 2001, Volvo on Call became one of first ever car-based telematics systems
in the world, providing both safety, security and tracking services in the car in case of
accident, breakdown or theft using a car-installed SIM card. The latest iteration of Volvo
on Call still provides the original safety functions as well as a broad range of car and
service related functionality.
Today Volvo on Call is available in the following markets: USA, Canada, China, Sweden,
UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Spain,
Portugal, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Russia, Poland and Brazil.
Read more about recent additions to Volvo On Call functionality.
[https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media/pressreleases/163015/control-your-volvo-car-from-your-apple-watch ]
Microsoft Band 2 enables you to live healthier by tracking your heart rate, exercise,
calorie burn and sleep quality. The new Microsoft Band helps you reach your fitness goals,
with 11 advanced sensors that provide you insights and data, whether running, biking,
golfing or at the gym; across iOS, Android, or Windows devices.
Microsoft Band 2 empowers you to stay connected while on the go, thanks to
customizable email, text, calendar, call alerts and social updates.
Volvo Car Group in 2014Â
For the 2014 financial year, Volvo Car Group recorded an operating profit of 2,252
MSEK (1,919 MSEK in 2013). Revenue over the period amounted to 129,959 MSEK (122,245
MSEK). For the full year 2014, global sales reached a record 465,866 cars, an increase of
8.9 per cent versus 2013. The record sales and operating profit cleared the way for Volvo
Car Group to continue investing in its global transformation plan. Â
About Volvo Car GroupÂ
Volvo has been in operation since 1927. Today, Volvo Cars is one of the most
well-known and respected car brands in the world with sales of 465,866 in 2014 in about
100 countries. Volvo Cars has been under the ownership of the Zhejiang Geely Holding
(Geely Holding) of China since 2010. It formed part of the Swedish Volvo Group until 1999,
when the company was bought by Ford Motor Company of the US. In 2010, Volvo Cars was
acquired by Geely Holding.Â
As of December 2014, Volvo Cars had over 26,000 employees worldwide. Volvo Cars head
office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in
Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars head office for China is located in Shanghai. The company's
main car production plants are located in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium) and Chengdu
(China), while engines are manufactured in Skovde (Sweden) and Zhangjiakou (China) and
body components in Olofstrom (Sweden).Â
A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be
downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at
http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.
Contact: Sascha Heiniger, Communication Manager Connected Cars, Tel: +46-723-71-79-61,
sascha.heiniger@volvocars.com
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/683630 )
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/318807 )
Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/683630
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/318807
Video:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/683630
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/318807
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/683630
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160104/318807
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Video:http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk
Volvo Car Group
CONTACT: .