Now, You Can Update Your Car

Tired of your vehicle and its aging, limited features? Don’t trade it in just yet. Download new software instead. In some cases, that is already possible. And over the next few years, as the already extensive software on modern cars becomes even more feature-rich, manufacturers mean to step up the effort. They plan to offer many types of improvements through download that are beamed directly to the car via satellite. Wi-Fi or cellular signal, without the vehicle has to be brought into the shop. And your car will be serviceable like a giant smartphone, with new features added while your sleep.

A leading proponent of this is Tesla, which has been sending updated to its cars’ operating systems since 2012. The company is expected to announce an updated operating system next week. The chief executive has said that the updated will include improvements to the company’s Autopilot automated driving system. But Tesla is by no means alone in the download department. General Motors has been offering upgrades via the cellular-delivered OnStar entertainment and roadside assistance system since 2009. GM’s Acadia sport utility vehicle its entertainment system over the air.

Other manufacturers, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, send wireless uploads to update various in-vehicle apps, including maps and entertainment offerings like Spotify. Ford, which previously provided software updates to its Sync infotainment system using a USB memory stick, will soon send software uploads to deliver Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality to its 2016 models equipped with its Sync 3 infotainment system. CarPlay and Auto replicate certain iPhone and Android smartphone features on the vehicle’s display. Ford delivers the updated software via Wi-Fi, installing it when the vehicle is restarted.

Manufacturers are also looking at software downloads as a new source of revenue, turning on featured remotely if the owner pays a fee. Tesla has already incorporated fees for features into its business model. While late model Tesla vehicles are equipped with cameras and sensors to enable semiautonomous driving, this feature – Autopilot – requires a $3,000 to $3,500 software download to make it work. Remote software updated will become crucial as vehicles become more capable of driving themselves. Software upgrades will be almost mandatory once we move up to higher forms of autonomous driving. The artificial intelligence underpinning self-driving will require constant upgrading to deal with novel situations.