Connectivity: Largest display in the segment and new ŠKODA Digital Assistant Laura

› New ŠKODA Digital Assistant Laura understands natural speech
› Amundsen infotainment system boasts the largest display in the segment
› eCall and Proactive Service free at all times with built-in eSIM as standard

In terms of infotainment and connectivity, the ŠKODA KAMIQ is one of the trailblazers in its segment – offering state-of-the-art technology, innovative applications and mobile services. Thanks to a built-in eSIM, the KAMIQ is always online. In addition to using touch control and gesture command, navigation, infotainment and telephone services can now also be operated with the new ŠKODA Digital Assistant Laura that can understand natural speech. The display belonging to the top-of-the-range Amundsen infotainment system is the biggest in the segment, and the Virtual Cockpit’s display is also one of the largest.

Reiner Katzwinkel, Head of Electric and Electronic Development at ŠKODA AUTO, said, “The ŠKODA KAMIQ is one of the first vehicles to be fitted with Volkswagen Group’s latest generation of infotainment and, thanks to the built-in eSIM, unlocks a completely new level of mobile online services from ŠKODA Connect. It is always online, offers free downloadable apps and convenient ‘over the-air’ map updates.”

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The ŠKODA KAMIQ is one of the first Volkswagen Group vehicles to be equipped with systems from the new, third generation of the modular infotainment matrix. The range-topping Amundsen infotainment system comes with a 9.2-inch touchscreen with a glass front – the largest in the segment – as well as online-backed 3D navigation, a 64-GB SSD hard drive for storing maps and an optional Wi-Fi hotspot. Bluetooth telephone and data connections are standard too, as is SmartLink technology, which also comes in a wireless version as an option (available only for Apple CarPlay at the moment). Amundsen always comes paired with the digital Virtual Cockpit, which can be individually configured. At 10.25 inches, its screen is one of the largest in the segment and provides a choice of five different layouts that range from Classic – displaying both a large speedo and the rev counter – to Basic, Modern and Sport as well as the Extended layout, which shows the map from the navigation system on a large scale.

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In addition to via buttons on the multifunction steering wheel, all of the Amundsen infotainment system’s functions can be controlled using three modern forms of operation: the touchscreen, gestures or the user’s own voice. The new advanced voice control system, which is also able to understand natural speech, can be activated simply by saying “Okay, Laura” – there’s no longer any need to press a button or perform any other kind of action. The system can assign queries or instructions to suitable topics and take action accordingly. When asked, it can navigate the user to a specific destination, pick out their favourite music or write out dictated text messages. This already works in six languages – English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Czech. The advanced voice control system is backed by online data as and when required, allowing it to even understand difficult dialects.

In order to speed up the implementation of requests, the driver can interrupt the conversation at any time or ask a new question without having to wait for a full answer. The sound of the radio or media player is not completely muted during a dialogue – the volume is just turned down. This creates an atmosphere as close to that of natural speech as possible.

ŠKODA is continuously developing and improving the functionality of its Digital Assistant Laura. In future, it will be able to set initial vehicle functions or respond even more flexibly to entire sentences for example, even making a sort of digital small talk possible. What’s more, it is conceivable that in future it will also be possible to use the advanced voice control system outside of the vehicle in other ŠKODA domains such as in mobile or web applications or in the online configurator. So Laura will be developed step by step in the direction of a generic mobility companion.

The built-in eSIM, which comes as standard and allows the ŠKODA KAMIQ to be always online, provides the basis for the online data that backs the advanced voice-control and navigation systems. The eSIM establishes a high-speed LTE Internet connection, meaning there is no longer any need for an additional SIM card or a tethered connection via a smartphone for running the Infotainment Online Services. This supports the eCall and Proactive Service functions too. Mandatory in the EU, eCall automatically makes an emergency call in the event of an accident, but it can also be activated manually at any time.

If an accident occurs, Breakdown Call relays the vehicle’s location as well as information about its status to the Roadside Assistance Call Centre. Vehicle Health Report saves all information about the status of the KAMIQ automatically whenever the ignition is turned off. In addition, Service Scheduling can keep in contact with the preferred service partner, allowing service notifications to be relayed, service appointments to be scheduled or relevant data to be transmitted in the event of a breakdown. The navigation system’s maps are updated ‘over the air’ automatically, meaning there is no need to visit a service partner to do so.

The transition between online and offline services is smooth, seamless and subtle – passengers do not have to manually switch between the two. The integration of Online Traffic Information in real time allows the Amundsen navigation system to provide quicker, more accurate and reliable route suggestions and estimated journey times; recommended detours in the event of a traffic jam are continuously adjusted. The parking and petrol station functions, which show available spaces or current fuel prices on the system’s display, are backed by online data too. Customers that wish to provide passengers with Internet access via a Wi-Fi hotspot or to make use of future streaming services can select additional data bundles in the Shop in the KAMIQ´s Amundsen infotainment system.

Alongside Proactive Service and Infotainment Online, ŠKODA Connect’s mobile online services also include Remote Access. Having been given a major update this April, the ŠKODA Connect App for mobile phones and smart watches now offers various new customisation options such as the ability for users to create their own shortcuts. Using this app and the ŠKODA Connect web portal, owners can use the Lock & Unlock function as well as check whether all of their KAMIQ’s windows are closed – all from a distance. With the ŠKODA Connect Alexa skill, the ŠKODA KAMIQ is offering its owners an even more convenient way to communicate with their car. This can be done with ease from home using an Amazon Echo speaker or on the go via the Alexa smartphone app. Alexa is activated by addressing her. She can then be asked a simple question, to which she will respond with information about the current mileage, the fuel level, dates for changing the oil, whether the doors and windows are closed, whether the car is locked and even where it is parked.

Furthermore, thanks to state-of-the-art connectivity, the KAMIQ can send the owner a push notification when the anti-theft alarm is triggered, when it leaves a defined area or exceeds a certain speed. Remote Access also provides information about where the car is parked and makes it possible to activate the KAMIQ’s horn and indicators at the touch of a button, allowing the car to be found in a large car park. Before a planned journey begins, the Trip Planner function prompts the driver if it deems it necessary to set off earlier due to current traffic conditions – getting them to their appointment on time. As part of this process, the system even calculates any necessary refuelling stops.

The Bolero and Swing infotainment systems stem from the latest generation of the modular infotainment matrix too. Bolero offers an 8-inch glass display as well as Bluetooth pairing and SmartLink, which are optionally available for the Swing system sporting a 6.5-inch display. There are four speakers built into the front doors as standard. The Bolero and Amundsen systems provide a further four in the rear doors. The optional ŠKODA Sound System boasting an output of 405 watts adds a central speaker on the dashboard and a subwoofer in the boot. As an optional extra, the Phone Box allows smartphones to be charged inductively and connects them to the car’s aerial. Two USB-C ports in the front and an optional two more in the rear provide traditional connection options for smartphones and other electronic devices. SmartLink enables users to view and control smartphone apps using the infotainment system’s display via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or MirrorLink™. Following a one-time set up, this can also be done via a Bluetooth connection automatically upon entering the car using the new, optional, wireless version of SmartLink (a Wi-Fi connection for Android Auto and MirrorLink™ between SmartLink and the Amundsen system will be introduced later).