Driving Home for Christmas? How smart software takes you there

Roads get busier, the schedules tighter, and the stress levels higher: Holiday travel can feel like a race against time. Behind the scenes, smart software is working to make every journey safer and smoother.

Smart navigation software takes care of the route – so you can focus on what truly matters

Visiting your family? No matter how often you’ve taken that route, CARIAD’s EV routing solution will make the drive more convenient: It automatically integrates charging stops along the way and adapts the route dynamically while on the road.

The cloud-native navigation software considers vehicle data like consumption based on previous trips and how it is affected by the driver’s current driving behavior or route specifics and live data on traffic or charging station availability. Thanks to its online-first approach, the route planning works within seconds. When no data connection is available, the solution switches to its onboard software, ensuring continued availability.

Long drive? No need to worry about entertainment

Gone are the days when your main job as a co-driver was frantically flipping through maps and shouting directions. Now, every ride is smooth, stress-free, and way more fun – thanks to smart in-car infotainment that keeps you connected and entertained.

Via CARIAD‘s scalable application store, popular and useful apps are integrated directly in the vehicle’s infotainment system. The store offers a range of well-known third-party apps, enabling users to watch live sporting events, movies, or series and gives them access to games and news. Available apps include for example Disney+, Spotify, YouTube or DAZN. While the passenger can access the full range of features in vehicles with an MMI passenger display, the Active Privacy Mode ensures that distracting content is not visible to the driver while driving.

The application store is built on Android Automotive OS, enabling a fast and constantly growing ecosystem in and around the car, as well as market-specific offerings.

Still looking for a Christmas present? Ask the Audi assistant

„Hey Audi, what’s a good last-minute Christmas present?“

The Audi assistant can do even more than control vehicle functions, make calls, configure the travel route, play music or get information on the weather. Through the integration of the AI-based chatbot ChatGPT, the assistant is able to answer general knowledge questions.

The answer to this specific question? Try it for yourself – you won’t even have to take your eyes off the road.

Can’t get enough of “Last Christmas”? Enjoy the best soundscape in each vehicle

For drivers to enjoy the best Christmas songs on the road, CARIAD teams have developed a central audio framework called SOUND CUBE. It operates at the heart of the infotainment system and intelligently manages a wide range of audio functions, including music, navigation instructions, or calls.

This ensures a harmonious soundscape in every vehicle – from a setup with five speakers to arrangements with over 20 speakers and additional amplifiers – and enables 3D surround sound through the integration of speakers into the front-seat headrests and additional speakers in the A-pillar and mid-range speakers in the D-pillar.

Through the creation of sound zones, SOUND CUBE also ensures that the driver can focus on navigation instructions coming out of the headrest speakers while the passenger enjoys their favorite Christmas song undisturbed.

Digital key enabling hands-free comfort

Anyone juggling gifts, cookie tins, or luggage will love how their smartphone automatically unlocks the car – without even leaving their pocket. Once set up, the digital key can lock and unlock the vehicle and open the trunk, all without a physical key. It’s securely stored in the Wallet app on your smartphone or smartwatch and uses advanced ultra-wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to enable seamless interaction between your vehicle and smart device.

Comfort auxiliary air conditioning makes sure your trip starts off cozy

Snowflakes falling, icy winds blowing? No problem! Forget scraping ice and frost spray: With comfort auxiliary air conditioning, your car takes care of it all before you even step outside. You can set your ideal temperature, activate the seat heating, and even warm glass surfaces – all via the myAudi app. Whether you schedule a timer or use instant start, your car is ready when you are. Perfect for frosty mornings or festive holiday trips!

With these smart software solutions, we’re reducing some of the holiday stress – at least while on the road.

Availability of functions depends on model and region.