The Future Is Now - Volvo Cars and Microsoft Enable People to Talk to Their Cars

PR62983

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

     - 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-c

ars-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:

    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 2014

    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.

    About Volvo Car Group

    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.

    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).

    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 )

Source: Volvo Car Group