Volvo's New VNL Series Semi Trucks Include CarPlay Support

[MacRumors]

Volvo Trucks today unveiled its new line of VNL long-haul semi trucks, which come equipped with CarPlay and several other comfort-oriented technologies.

Designed for professional drivers who travel over long distances, the VNL series trucks include what Volvo says is an "all-new" dashboard with a 5-inch color display that offers up trip and diagnostic data plus a 7-inch color touchscreen that supports CarPlay, a backup camera, and navigation features.

With CarPlay support, drivers are able to access their music, incoming phone calls, messages, and other content safely through a direct connection with the iPhone. Along with the touchscreen, CarPlay controls can be accessed through a smart steering wheel that puts controls for nearly all interface functions right at a driver's fingertips.

CarPlay is just one of the many driver perks built into the truck, which also includes an adjustable steering column, ergonomic seats with heating and ventilation, and sleeper cabs with a reclining bunk.

The VNL trucks come in a range of configurations, including a new 70-inch sleeper in Volvo VNL 760 and 740 models.

Though CarPlay was first officially unveiled in March of 2014, wide availability of the feature didn't come until mid-2015. Since then, hundreds of manufacturers have built CarPlay support into their vehicles, and many aftermarket solutions have been made available. Apple maintains a list of vehicles that support CarPlay on its website.

Article Link: Volvo's New VNL Series Semi Trucks Include CarPlay Support

 

[MattXDA]

Trucking brilliant.

 

[melendezest]

Sadly, Apple doesn't build trucks anymore....

 

[Bigsk8r]

My uncle, the long haul truck driver, might like that!

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Dear god no.

The absolute last thing we need in this world is for truck drivers that are doing anything but their job.

I wonder if there will be any news when the first person is killed by a truck equipped with CarPlay?

Or will it be too pedestrian and expected.

 

[scottish]

Dear god no.

The absolute last thing we need in this world is for truck drivers that are doing anything but their job.

I wonder if there will be any news when the first person is killed by a truck equipped with CarPlay?

Or will it be too pedestrian and expected.

It's ok, it's a Volvo and will brake itself.

 

[8281]

Dear god no.

The absolute last thing we need in this world is for truck drivers that are doing anything but their job.

I wonder if there will be any news when the first person is killed by a truck equipped with CarPlay?

Or will it be too pedestrian and expected.

Huh? Pretty sure it's safer to have Navigation/Music/Texts/Calls routed through a large, voice-controlled touch screen than some aftermarket bolt-on, or just the trucker's iPhone. Technology can make their job safer and easier.

 

[xtwentyseven]

Dear god no.

The absolute last thing we need in this world is for truck drivers that are doing anything but their job.

I wonder if there will be any news when the first person is killed by a truck equipped with CarPlay?

Or will it be too pedestrian and expected.

Would you rather them run people over while operating with their phone in their hand looking at a small screen? CarPlay is designed to reduce the multi-tasking risk since people who are going to do it are going to with or without the feature. Drivers are still going to do stuff on their phone and kill people either way. Hopefully it will happen less with CarPlay.

 

[X--X]

It's ok, it's a Volvo and will brake itself.

 

[iapplelove]

It's ok, it's a Volvo and will brake itself.

Are you sure about that?

 

[NMBob]

How come the cup holders aren't heated or cooled?

 

[oosamon]

Nearing the end of careers as a long-haul truck driver? Automation will hit drivers hard, but be a boon to consumers.

 

[Born Again]

great now apple maps will take truck drivers on the wrong route.

biggest apple fan here but apple maps is a mess.

 

[AFEPPL]

CarPlay is a complete mess, i don't use it at all anymore.

 

[MadeMyDay]

Nice cab interior.

 

[Born Again]

CarPlay is a complete mess, i don't use it at all anymore.

Thank you! People on this forum have some unfounded idea that carplay is the holy grail of car integration. It's just not there yet and it's limited.

Until Apple integrates Google Maps or Waze ...Carplay will always be a disaster.

 

[justperry]

great now apple maps will take truck drivers on the wrong route.

biggest apple fan here but apple maps is a mess.

CarPlay is a complete mess, i don't use it at all anymore.

Here we go again.......

 

[Thunderhawks]

Available with adapters $ 19.95 each.

USB-Cold and USB-Boiling

 

[Bigsk8r]

I am not a trucker, but my uncle and mother (no jokes!) are. They do not use phone based GPS systems. They use one of 5 or 6 GPS systems designed specifically for truckers that have road limitations, weather updates, current windspeed, and other features that your phone - without a lot of tweaking and add-ons - does not have.

The reality is this is going to be one big, fancy, jukebox and Caller ID display to most pro drivers. It will do just fine for 95% of them.

 

[Rychiar]

and CarPlay still works like garbage in my honda civic and crashes the whole car computer... gotta love it. I figured having apple as software in the car would be a good thing but nooooo

 

[RickInHouston]

Thank you! People on this forum have some unfounded idea that carplay is the holy grail of car integration. It's just not there yet and it's limited.

Until Apple let's us use Google Maps or Waze Carplay will always be a disaster.

Agreed!

My car's integration with WHAT'S IMPORTANT ON MY PHONE is fantastic. CarPlay and Android Auto are thus unnecessary.

 

[iMi]

LOL... There was a well publicized incident where a dealer was showcasing the auto brake feature. The only problem? He picked up a model that did not have it. I wonder if this is the video of that event. Volvo made this standard on all new cars.

We have two newer Volvos and both have this technology. I can attest to it - it works. Plus, there is a screen that displays the status of all the systems. But this was an epic fail.

 

[DrewDaHilp1]

Dear god no.

The absolute last thing we need in this world is for truck drivers that are doing anything but their job.

I wonder if there will be any news when the first person is killed by a truck equipped with CarPlay?

Or will it be too pedestrian and expected.

This is no better/no worse than all the other distractions in a Truckers/95% every other vehicle.

 

[Gusjasso]

Are you sure about that?

they're testing it wrong!

 

[justperry]

and CarPlay still works like garbage in my honda civic and crashes the whole car computer... gotta love it. I figured having apple as software in the car would be a good thing but nooooo

There is a possibility the car software crashes CarPlay!

But, it could also be CarPlay, or both, we don't know.