Google and OnStar connect customers to their Chevy Volt

This could be the start of a beautiful friendship or even the foot in the automotive door for Google through GM. Turns out, Google, OnStar, and Chevy->ke199 are becoming quite the triumphant trio with their new smartphone mobile application through the Android. The original launch of this technology was at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show and already they have updated the application to add a cool new feature which will debut at the Google I/O Conference today and tomorrow. Their newest addition to the mobile app being demonstrated at the conference is the “navigation tab”. This tab will allow the Chevy Volt->ke2721 owner to see the current location of their vehicle on Google Maps and will even give the location of the car in relation to their Android. That isn’t even the best part. The consumer can primarily use this application to get directions to any destination they wish to go. This works by having the consumer voice the destination to their Android. The phone then determines where this destination is and relays that information to OnStar. When the consumer hops into their Chevy Volt, the turn-by-turn directions will be waiting for them. These new features allow Chevy to maintain the commitment they have made “to providing Volt customers with the most connected vehicle experience possible”.

“These two new features add to the suite of mobile application features for Volt that given Volt owners a personal connection to their car,” said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. “Connecting customers to their cars is one way we’re using technology to provide value and a real useful benefit to the Volt owner.”

Hit the jump for a full list of what the Chevy Volt application on the Android platform has to offer, a video, and the press release.

The smartphone mobile application for the Chevrolet Volt features:

- Charge status display – plugged in or not and voltage (120V or 240V)

- Flexibility to “Charge Now” or schedule charge timing

- Display percentage of battery charge level, electric and total ranges

- Ability to manually set grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest

- Send text or email notifications for charge reminders, interruptions and full charge

- Display miles per gallon, electric only miles, and odometer readings

- Shows miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime

- Remotely start the vehicle to pre-condition the interior temperature

Press Release

OnStar is leveraging the power of Google technology to develop a number of new mobile app features that strengthen Chevrolet’s commitment to providing Volt customers with the most connected vehicle experience possible.

The public will get a peek at what OnStar is working on at the Google I/O conference May 19-20 in San Francisco, CA, where OnStar will debut and demonstrate new functionalities they’re developing for the Chevrolet Volt mobile application leveraging the AndroidTM platform.

“While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship is an example of how we’re evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president. “What we’re talking about today is only the beginning.”

A new “navigation” tab has been added to the home screen of the existing Chevrolet Volt mobile app on the Android smartphone. When a Volt owner presses this tab, they will be able to see the current location of their Volt pinpointed on Google MapsTM , as well as their location relative to it.

From this map screen, owners can use Google search by voice to vocally search for a destination with their Android handset, and see where that destination is related to the Volt’s current location. They can then elect to send the destination from their Android phone to their Volt and have OnStar Turn-By-Turn directions to their destination waiting for them when they start the vehicle.

Additionally, the owner will also have the option to get voice-guided directions to their vehicle from their current location, using Google Maps Navigation.

The new functionalities won’t be available on the Volt mobile app at launch, but are planned for a 2.0 version.

The smartphone mobile application for the Chevrolet Volt made its debut at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show and is planned to launch in tandem with the Volt this fall. Launch features include: