Volvo recently announced that 2.5 million cars worldwide will receive a new software update called Volvo Car UX. The Volvo CAR UX upgrade is a usable layout for the car’s central display screen, designed to be an intuitive aid for the driver and reduce screen taps via an over-the-air update.

Those who drive a Volvo car with Google built in will receive the upgrade free of charge, an initiative in line with Volvo Cars’ strategy to make its cars better over time through regular software updates.

“This update is one of the largest over-the-air updates in automotive history, leveraging years of investment in Volvo Cars’ tech stack to improve life with their cars for millions of people,” says Anders Bell, chief engineering and technology officer at Volvo Cars. “Our new user experience delivers significant updates and improvements in areas most used by drivers and directly addresses the needs and desires of our customers.”

The update is based on the Android Automotive operating system and includes several Google services as standard. It now takes fewer taps or clicks for drivers to reach the most-used features.

The new layout also includes more prominent navigation and a more modern look, with many upgrades grounded in real-world research and feedback.

The new user experience creates a consistent design philosophy across all Volvo car models. This means a customer with a three-year-old XC40 benefits from the same approach as an EX90 owner, for example.

The content on the screen represents the biggest change, with the most common apps and controls, such as maps, media, and phone, presented on the home screen. This means, for example, that customers who are following navigation directions and want to change the music no longer have to leave Google Maps to access the media feature.

The contextual bar changes what drivers see according to the situation and displays the most recently used apps. When driving at low speeds, the icon for outside cameras appears to help drivers maneuver in tight spaces.

For plug-in hybrid drivers, the upgrade makes it easier for drivers to get the most out of their electric powertrain. Via ‘Drive Modes’ on the home screen, drivers can access ‘Pure’ mode alongside other options. That means switching from hybrid to electric-only takes one tap.

Volvo Cars will also start rolling out the option for all customers with Google built in to add the update.

The update also prepares cars for a conversational AI experience with Google Gemini, which is scheduled to arrive on the same eligible cars later this spring.