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Volkswagen debuts Apple Watch app that alerts you when your teens speed and more

Volkswagen announced its new Apple Watch application today that will allow users to control their VW Car-Net-enabled vehicles remotely from their wrists (via TechCrunch). Functions like door locks and fuel/charge level indicators will be available directly in the app. Drivers can even get directions from their current location to their parked car.

There will also be new setting that allows parents to set speed limits for their teen drivers. When that limit is crossed, Volkswagen says, the parent will get a notification on their watch alerting them to the fact. Parents can opt to set up geographic boundaries as well, and be alerted when their teens drive outside the designated area.

Volkswagen did not provide a specific availability date. You can read VW’s full press release below. Last week a similar app was shown off for controlling Tesla’s Model S.

VOLKSWAGEN TO OFFER CONNECTED-CAR FEATURES ENABLED BY NEW APPLE WATCH

May 5, 2015

  • Volkswagen’s Car-Net® app will sync with new Apple Watch 
  • VW customers will be able to remotely lock*/unlock doors; check fuel level or charge status; set up speed and boundary alerts and more from their Apple Watch

Herndon, VA (May 5th, 2015) — Volkswagen of America, Inc., is excited to announce that VW’s Car-Net® platform will enable Apple Watch functionality for many new Volkswagen vehicles. The Apple Watch app will be available globally on all VW Car-Net® enabled vehicles allowing for enhanced connectivity on the go.

“These high-tech features, available through the Car-Net® app for Apple Watch, are paving the way to Volkswagen’s future of connected vehicles,” said Abdallah Shanti, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Information Officer for Region Americas. “As a part of Volkswagen’s Digital Vehicle Management Platform, this was a truly collaborative effort between our Technical Development and Group IT teams.”

The Car-Net® app for Apple Watch will allow VW customers to control a host of features and functions that are available through the Car-Net mobile app and Customer Web Portal directly from their wrist. Owners can keep an eye on their vehicle from afar, remotely locking* and unlocking doors and viewing the status of doors, windows and sun roof (open or closed). Finding a parked vehicle is a snap, with a map of the current vehicle location, walking or driving directions to the vehicle and the ability to honk the horn and flash the lights remotely. Customers can also receive speed and boundary alert notifications to monitor certain drivers in their households.

Drivers of Volkswagen vehicles with gasoline and TDI® Clean Diesel engines may remotely check their fuel level, while those driving the all-electric e-Golf  will be able to check their current charge and estimated driving range, turn charging on or off and access climate control features.

VW Car-Net® is available on select trims of 2014 and later Beetle, CC, Eos, Jetta, Passat and Tiguan models and on all trims of 2015 and later Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen and e-Golf models. For additional details, go to www.vw.com/features/vw-car-net/.

Car-Net for Apple Watch will be available in the App Store for Apple Watch, found in the Apple Watch app on iPhone®.

Volkswagen is committed to driving the development of more connected and intelligent vehicles. The VW Car-Net® integration with Apple Watch adds to the recent announcement made at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, introducing the second-generation “modular infotainment platform” (MIB II) which will feature advanced app and smartphone integration. Along with the new infotainment system, MirrorLink™ will integrate the apps and operating layout of numerous smartphones (including Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony) into cars. When MirrorLink™ is introduced, two other interfaces will also be launched under the App-Connect label: Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ (Google®).

About Volkswagen of America, Inc. 
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA), an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, CC, Eos, e-Golf, Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan, and Touareg vehicles through approximately 652 independent U.S. dealers.

* On Model Year 2016 vehicles and later

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Comments

  1. 89p13 - 9 years ago

    I’m so glad I grew up in the dark ages – before “connected devices” and the internet! :)

  2. J.latham - 9 years ago

    The more I see articles like this, the more I realize Apple needs to jump on beefing up CarPlay for more connected features rather than just media in the car.

  3. Joe Public - 9 years ago

    Ideal for the “Suspicious Spouse”!

    Big Brother at its worst – no matter how they dress it up.

    One step from “Notifying the local Constabulary”

    • incredibilistic - 9 years ago

      If you have nothing to hide…

      The other side of that coin is ensuring your car isn’t stolen or the ability to track it in that event.

  4. UmaShanker - 9 years ago

    Reblogged this on shankertiwari3.