The Polestar 2’s Latest OTA Update Includes Android R Infotainment Software

Sweden’s Polestar has announced that the latest Over-the-Air (OTA) software upgrade for Polestar 2 owners includes Android R for the Android Automotive OS infotainment system. The latest software update brings enhanced app and functionality potential for the future, and will roll out to owners incrementally from early April 2022.

Software enhancements are downloaded and installed remotely, allowing Polestar to accelerate the integration of new functionality, performance and personalisation for Polestar 2 owners.

Ten major OTA releases totalling close to one hundred improvements have been issued since launching remote updates for Polestar 2, representing an average of one major OTA release every seven weeks.

Recent examples of enhancements delivered via OTA updates include drivetrain optimisations, the ability to schedule preferred charging times, Polestar Digital Key improvements, an eco climate mode to improve real world range, and battery optimisation with preconditioning, amongst others.

More than 90% of all Polestar 2 owners have installed OTA updates.

A collection of infotainment features was launched for Polestar 2 in 2021.

Of these, the Vivaldi browser, Video Player and A Better Routeplanner, are most popular with customers, with more than 12,000 downloads each as of the end of March 2022. 

Polestar is a Swedish premium electric performance car maker.

Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, says: “Our approach to software technology in our cars is that it should not be any different from how the latest software is pushed out on smartphones and computers in everyday life. With OTA updates, our customers receive constant enhancements and can choose when to install the latest updates, without making a trip to a workshop. We’re very encouraged by the positive response as seen from the exponential growth in the number of OTA installations, and will continue to deliver ongoing enhancements.”

Polestar recently announced a new global partnership with Hertz that includes purchasing up to 65,000 electric vehicles (EVs) over five years.

Availability is expected to begin in Spring 2022 in Europe and late 2022 in North America and Australia.