Cloud and swarm data: Software 3.0 for the Volkswagen ID. family
The ID. Software 3.0 of the latest generation uses swarm data to take driver assistance systems to the next level, with higher performance and optimised voice control. It also enables DC charging with a maximum of up to 135 kW and a smart E-Route Planner. It is available on new Volkswagen ID. models and will be provided also for vehicles already delivered, thanks to an Over-The-Air (OTA) software update.
Reaching a new level of driving, thanks to software generation 3.0 in Volkswagen's all-electric ID. models. Using so-called swarm data and the most recent generation of its driver assistance systems, Volkswagen is taking a further step towards automated driving. As part of its ACCELERATE strategy, the German manufacturer is continuing its transformation into a software-oriented mobility provider and improving its skills in software integration and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. Already available on the new ID. models, the 3.0 software will be integrated free of charge into cars that have already been delivered via an Over-The-Air update available in the coming weeks.
Update for the entire ID. family

The new ID. Software 3.0 is an update for the whole ID. family - Volkswagen's all-electric models - which introduces new functionalities. "Once again, we are striving to offer high-quality technologies and innovations in all classes", explains Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand, responsible for Technical Development.
Driver assistance becomes intelligent
Automatically keeping the vehicle in the centre of the lane, adapting to the user's driving style and driving more to the left or right of the lane instead of exactly in the middle. All this, and more, is possible thanks to Travel Assist with swarm data1. The system can also maintain the distance from the vehicle in front and keep to the preset speed limit, thanks to the presence of predictive cruise control and turning assistance. In addition, the vehicle speed can be adapted to the speed limits on the route being driven and to the configuration of the roads, such as corners or roundabouts.
The new Volkswagen Travel Assist

The Travel Assist with data swarms1, using two rear radars and ultrasound control, can keep an eye on the traffic around the car and, from a speed of 90 km/h on the motorway, provide active assistance when changing lane. When activated, the driver simply needs to operate the direction indicator to initiate the lane change. For this to happen, the sensors must not detect any objects in the surrounding area and the capacitive steering wheel must sense the driver's hands. Of course, the driver can intervene at any time and take total control of the car.
In general, the absence of stripes on the asphalt is a challenge for autonomous driving systems. Thanks to data swarms, however, the new Travel Assist can provide support using anonymous information collected from other Volkswagens. The vehicle only needs to detect one lane limit to stay on track, for example on country roads without a central lane marking.
Parking will be easier
Using the smart Park Assist Plus2, the ID. models will also offer more support when parking. After activating the search, which is possible up to a speed of 40 km/h for parallel parking spaces and up to 20 km/h for bay parking spaces, the assistant will be able to park autonomously by using the environmental sensors and taking full control of the car. To initiate this process, the driver simply needs to stop in the selected parking space, apply the brake and activate the parking process via the specific control.
Park Assist Plus can provide support during a manoeuvre that has already been started, to exit parallel parking spaces autonomously and, thanks to the memory function, the vehicle can be taught up to five different parking manoeuvres. So goodbye to awkward manoeuvres to get into the tight garage at home: the system remembers parking manoeuvres at speeds below 40 km/h with a travel distance of up to 50 metres.
Updated graphics for Volkswagen software

The numerous innovations introduced by ID. Software 3.0 also affect the displays and the infotainment system. Starting with the augmented reality head-up display, which features the projection of information straight into the field of view of the windscreen, there are some new graphics in the long-distance area: in addition to the assisted lane change display, it adds distance to destination information, new indications such as roundabouts and greater integration of turn arrows.
"We are in close contact with our customers via the ID. Drivers Club; for example, many of them wanted to be able to see the battery charge information in percentages, so we integrated it", explains Silke Bagschik, CMO of the ID. Digital project unit and Head of Sales and Marketing for the e-Mobility series, about the introduction of the charge status display directly in the ID. Cockpit.
Improved navigation
The technological advancement of the software has also helped to improve the navigation system of the ID cars. Version 3.0 will make it possible to locate the vehicle more accurately within the lane, thus suggesting in good time lane changes at junctions and motorway exits, information which is also displayed in the ID. Light (the light strip under the windscreen), now with new functions such as warnings of nearby dangers. This is made possible by Volkswagen's Car2X technology, which enables cars to talk to each other via the WLAN radio standard and to receive real-time information on high traffic areas, the approach of emergency vehicles or cars that have broken down.
Optimised voice control

Getting on board, saying 'Hello ID.' and asking the car to find the nearest Japanese restaurant or to change the temperature of the air conditioning system: the new software has also helped to optimise voice control, increasing response speed and improving recognition quality, now around 95 per cent. Using its digital microphones, the system also recognises whether the speaker is the driver or the front passenger and responds accordingly. Capable of understanding general phrases or colloquial expressions, it asks questions when necessary and can be interrupted. The system responds in two ways: online from the cloud and offline from information stored in the car. Available in all ID. models on the German market, it requires the activation of the We Connect Plus service.
Charging power up to 135 kW
The ID. Software 3.0 also improves charging performance, now reaching a maximum power of up to 135 kW3 (instead of the previous 125 kW) on models equipped with a 77 kWh battery and at sufficiently powerful DC charging stations, such as those from IONITY. Improvements to the thermal management of the battery make driving even more efficient and can increase the range, especially in cold weather. Another important option is the Battery Care mode, which limits the charge level to 80%.
Route planning gets smarter
The long list of new features also includes route planning, starting with the charging menu which now appears on the first screen of the large touch display of the ID. models. For long distances, the online route calculator in the navigation system can even programme multiple stops to reduce journey times. How does it do this? By taking traffic and route data into account, as well as the desired battery level on arrival at the final and interim destination. Added to this is the dynamic evaluation of charging stops, which is based on the power output of the charging stations. Route planning, as a result, can suggest two short charging processes with high power instead of a single long process with low power.
The central role of the digital experience
Digitalization has opened up new automotive scenarios, with more applications both inside and outside the car. With the ACCELERATE strategy, Volkswagen has adapted many processes to the needs of users: from the early development phase of cars, to the range of digital services and workshop visits. This is making software integration in the vehicle and the digital customer experience Volkswagen's core competencies. By 2026, around €18 billion will be invested in the future topics of electric mobility, hybridisation and digitalization.
Notes
1. The driving assistance function can only be used within the limits of the system. The driver must be prepared to override the assistance system at any time, and is not absolved of their responsibility to drive the vehicle carefully. The system can be deactivated at any time. The system can be used up to the vehicle’s maximum speed. Only in conjunction with a navigation system. Only in conjunction with an active We Connect licence. The online components of the “Travel Assist with Swarm Data” can only be used where there is mobile phone network coverage and with the necessary privacy settings. The online component can be deactivated at any time in the We Connect ID. App at any time. The online component of “Travel Assist” is available in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. To activate the online functions, you need a Volkswagen ID user account and must log in to We Connect with a user name and password. Furthermore, a separate We Connect contract must be entered into online with Volkswagen AG. After delivery of the vehicle, you have 90 days to activate the online function of Travel Assist with Swarm Data. At the end of this period, the initial period of use of the online component of “Travel Assist with Swarm Data” of 3 years starts (free of charge). Use of the online component of “Travel Assist with Swarm Data” is enabled via an integrated Internet connection. The associated data costs incurred within Europe are covered by Volkswagen AG within the limits of the network coverage. Additional costs (e.g. roaming charges) may be incurred as a result of data exchange via the Internet, depending on your particular mobile phone tariff and in particular when using the system abroad. In order to provide the service, it is necessary to transmit certain personal data such as the location and IP address of the vehicle. For more information on data processing, see the privacy policy “Travel Assist with Swarm Data”. The availability of the specific services described in the packages may vary depending on your country. The services are available for the agreed contract period and may be subject to change of content or discontinued during the contract period. Further information is available at connect.volkswagen-we.com and from your Volkswagen dealer. For information on mobile phone rate conditions, please contact your mobile phone provider.
2. Within the limitations of the system. The driver must be prepared to override the assistance system at any time, and is not absolved of their responsibility to drive the vehicle carefully.
3. Charging with a maximum of 135 kW DC charging power for the battery variants Pro and Pro Performance, as well as at an ambient and battery temperature of approx. 23 °C and an initial SOC of approx. 5 percent; e.g. at an IONITY station.
Source: Volkswagen Newsroom
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