Chevy Volts’ OnStar Getting Google Boost

By Geoff Duncan May 18, 2010

Vehicle location services provider OnStar—part of the greater General Motors family—is planning to let Chevrolet Volt owners leverage a little bit of Google’s mapping power: the company is planning to update its Chevrolet Volt application for Android so Volt owners will be able to see the current location of their Volt pinpointed using OnStar technology and Google Maps. The functionality should certainly make it easier to find where you parked in one of those confusingly huge mall or airport lots…and it may also make it easier to keep track of where one’s child, spouse, or best friend is taking the car “just for a quick errand, honest!”

OnStar plans to demonstrate the new functionality at the Google I/O conference this week in San Francisco. Another few feature of the Android/OnStar integration will be the ability to select a driving destination from an Android phone, and have OnStar Turn-by-Turn directions all set up and ready to go by the time owners return to their vehicle. And if seeing their Volt pinpointed on a map isn’t enough, users will be able to get voice directions to their vehicles.

“While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship [with Google] is an example of how we’re evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology,” said OnStar president Chris Preuss, in a statement.

The Android smartphone application for the Chevy Volt is schedule to become available when the Volt itself goes on sale to consumers “this fall.” Other features of the application will includes the ability to display vehicle information like mileage (including electric-only miles), battery charge level , total range available, odometer readings, and vehicle charge status.

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