Hey there, highly connected driving: The new Volvo EX90 and EX90 Excellence with Snapdragon Digital Chassis

A leading automaker since 1927, Volvo Cars is well known for safe and premium cars. Last January, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced we’re working with the automaker to add highly connected driving to its driver and passenger experiences. 

With our next-generation Snapdragon Digital Chassis automotive solutions, Qualcomm Technologies helps automakers create seamlessly, connected vehicles: that’s where our collaboration with Volvo Cars comes in. Last year, we saw the results of our combined efforts in its new seven-seater, fully electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Volvo EX90. And today, we’re excited about the launch of a new variant and the top edition of this car — the Volvo EX90 Excellence.

Replicating the smartphone experience

Smartphones have created a benchmark for the kind of digital experiences people crave. With at least 3.8 billion smartphone owners — almost half the global population — today’s smartphones have the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology, supported by 5G connectivity, to offer lightning-fast processing. This means users get high-definition graphics, a highly intuitive digital experience and fast, stable connectivity.

Leveraging our Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms, leading automakers like Volvo Cars can recreate extraordinary smartphone experiences inside the car. 

Together, we incorporate high-performance computing powered by AI to enable in-vehicle intelligence. This means:

• Adaptive settings which change depending on the driver and their pre-set preferences
• Contextual awareness and prompts to help keep drivers and their passengers aware and improve safety
• Responsive voice control so the car can react instantaneously to instructions

And we present this information in the vehicle with crystal-clear, high-definition graphics that are good enough for a home cinema.

Highly connected driving in the Volvo EX90

When it comes to driving, safety is a main priority, and therefore so is Qualcomm Technologies’ technology. Cars powered by our highly advanced Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms can support multiple displays in the vehicle, providing a separation of media and communications apps from critical safety information. Volvo Cars’ new SUV, the EX90, is the perfect example of this. 

The Volvo EX90 boasts two screens: one to help drivers seamlessly navigate between maps, media, and phone contacts; and another smaller screen, behind the steering wheel, which reliably offers driving-focused information such as directions, speed and range. Our Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms help present this information with captivating graphics and lightning-fast responsiveness.

Volvo Cars also just announced its EX90 Excellence — the top-of-the-line four-seater variant of the EX90 and the debut for the seven-seater EX90 in the Asia Pacific region — to extend the connected driving experience to the rest of the world. 

“Our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies is key to continuously improve the user experience in next generation Volvo cars,” said Javier Varela, Deputy CEO and Chief Operation Officer. “The Volvo EX90’s infotainment system is more than twice as fast compared to the current generation of Volvo cars while its graphics generation will be up to ten times faster.” 

Step by step

Highly advanced vehicles, including the EX90 and its new variant, the EX90 Excellence, represent exciting steps in the right direction for connected driving. And there’s more to come:

With Qualcomm Technologies’ vision for the software-defined vehicle, brought to life in our concept vehicle, we’re looking to enable in-vehicle experiences that are safer, more entertaining and personalized, and continuously upgradable to create next-generation driving experiences. 

Through our work with key automakers like Volvo Cars, we’re creating a world of connected and intelligent vehicles. The smartphone-style experience is something people have come to expect in today’s digital world. And it represents an opportunity to take driving in a new direction that prioritises safety, comfort, and entertainment, with no compromises. After all, what better way to ensure the safety of road users than to connect the car to all of its surroundings, offering complete awareness? That is the future of driving.