Future Audi vehicles will allow drivers to download iPhone-style apps

According to Audi’s sales and marketing boss, Peter Schwarzenbauer, future vehicles will have computer-style dashboards that will allow drivers to download iPhone-style software applications by 2020. Starting this year, a number of Audi models will have in-car Wi-Fi access. Schwarzenbauer said that any move to download software packages would be joined by a new concept in dashboard and swtichgear design.

Schwarzenbauer even raised the possibility that owners will be able to “download heated seats” as a part of a plan to allow buyers to upgrade the specs of their car once they have left the factory floor. For that to be possible, Audi will have to have hardware pre-installed at the factory. Schwarzenbauer said that pre-installing hardware at the factory would help Audi’s production system be more flexible. As of right now, it takes Audi 12 weeks to build a car to order.

Schwarzenbauer also said that in the future, Audi vehicles will remember particular routes of the driver and automatically select the route and check traffic information before the driver begins his journey.

– By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoWeek