Car software changes I’d like to see

[apnicolle]

Originally Posted by TimNiceBut

My MY2105 Jeep Cherokee would allow me to dictate text message replies using Voice Control. My MY2019 XC60 informs me that I'm not connected (or something to that effect). The phone has signal and is connected to my car via bluetooth so I'm pretty sure I AM connected.

Also, who decided that three flashes of the indicator is sufficient when I flick and release the stalk? I'd like to be able to configure this myself. Five would probably be my chosen number.

If you look at the Bluetooth settings on your phone whilst connected to the car, you might see that it asks you for permission to share contacts, or something like that. Once this is done then hopefully you will be able to send messages.

[AB-UK]

Originally Posted by TimNiceBut

Well, they're part of Fiat now (or vice versa) so maybe that helped.

I was actually referring to the model year you say you own

[Wagon Sailor]

Originally Posted by TimNiceBut

And who said the car would be in motion when these were being used?

If the system is fitted and not locked out when the car is moving, someone will use it when driving.

Originally Posted by apnicolle

You are of course aware that Skype/Teams is primarily an audio communication tool, much like oh I don't know maybe a telephone.....

My personal opinion is that if you are not capable of holding a conversation when driving then you should not do either at the same time. Most people however are capable of this. I have even been known to have multiple conversations with 3 or more passengers in my car whilst driving at the same time.

There's a big difference between talking to a passenger and talking on the phone, hands-free or not. The passenger understands when you have to pause in your chat because of an external circumstance.

Here's what RoSPA says: A substantial body of research shows that using a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone while driving is a significant distraction, and substantially increases the risk of the driver crashing.

[apnicolle]

Originally Posted by Wagon Sailor

If the system is fitted and not locked out when the car is moving, someone will use it when driving.




There's a big difference between talking to a passenger and talking on the phone, hands-free or not. The passenger understands when you have to pause in your chat because of an external circumstance.

Here's what RoSPA says: A substantial body of research shows that using a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone while driving is a significant distraction, and substantially increases the risk of the driver crashing.

I'm not disputing that distractions can result in crashes, far from it. I do have issues with RoSPA and their data analysis, but that is another story altogether.

Have a look at this paper published a few years back in 2016 available through NIH
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391700/

Whilst it is a couple of years old (2016), it makes interesting reading as unlike RoSPA (and BRAKE) for example it presents all of the incidences of 'distraction' that it classifies rather than focussing on one or two specific examples to support whatever agenda they may be pushing at the time.

The references in this article do make for fascinating reading although there is a lot of material there. The paper on young drivers is quite well known, and the same for the Sayer paper which talks about the effects of many secondary tasks on driving.

This stuff could be a thread all on it's own :-)

[apnicolle]

Moving back onto car software changes, I would like to have the ability to map the physical buttons for music playback (play, volume, forwards, back) to other tasks.

I usually use the steering wheel controls for their functions so for me they are an irrelevant duplication. But, if I could map them to say increase the temperature in the cabin, raise or lower the fan speed, select menus/items in the sensus screen, etc. it would be wonderful.

I think the Audi MMI and BMW iDrive physical controls allow this, so it's not out of the realms of possibility !

[VOLVOL0VER]

Originally Posted by Milliner

Bit more customisation on the driver display and the option to make that map bigger.

Parking sensor 'snooze' button.

Better voice interaction: change drive mode, turn on the ACC and set the speed (and change it if needed), set speed limiter (if not on auto), leave the climate control on when you park up, "park on the left" - if anyone actually uses it, change DAB station at the first attempt... :-)

All academic anyway by the sounds of it if the system is going over to Android for future generations. The fact that there have been no new apps (ever?) or significant new features, suggests they made decision fairly early on.

agree with you. one/two more theme(s) on the driver display. they could add it.

[Wizzpop]

Regarding Keyless Entry, having a PIN to enter on the sensus screen before the engine would start may detract thieves.

[Dilinger]

I wouldn't have high hopes, for software releases.
If you consider that since the model launch 2016, the last 4 years there have only been minor updates, i dont think they will start suddenly, to push significant software updates and new apps, as the model approaches replacement.
Unfortunately.

[spidermonkey168]

Remember the last used radio station after using carplay. I use favourites for radio stations, but if i go from carplay to the radio it always plays an FM station and not the DAB station i was listening to in favourites. Drives me mad.

[VOLVOL0VER]

Originally Posted by Dilinger

I wouldn't have high hopes, for software releases.
If you consider that since the model launch 2016, the last 4 years there have only been minor updates, i dont think they will start suddenly, to push significant software updates and new apps, as the model approaches replacement.
Unfortunately.

true. i also share your opinion.