Car-to-Home

A growing number of customers have wireless networks such as WLANs in their homes. As the number of WLAN access points increases and networking intensifies, drivers could in future have wireless access to their parked cars. If WLAN access is then also integrated in the vehicle, networking between the home and the parked car becomes reality.

A distinction is made between two different home environments: while the living room represents an environment for entertainment and relaxation, the study is generally used for intensive, work-related activities. As a result, a distinction is also made in car wireless access mode: the Easy Mode (e. g. entertainment with family and friends, transmission of music and audio content to the car) via the TV in the living room, and the Serious Mode (e. g. route planning, log book, route statistics on vehicle use, preparations for future journeys) via the PC in the study.

The introduction of media centers presents new possibilities for TV access in the living room. A lot of manufacturers offer media centers which connect the PC world with home entertainment products in the living room (TV, hi-fi, video, surround sound) and provide many of the entertainment functions offered by PCs such as internet access, MP3 libraries, digital photos, etc. adapted for home entertainment use.


MyCar application
MyCar is a home application that presents the car on a Car-to-home website. From the living room, the user has access to information on the status of the vehicle with direct configuration options (air conditioning, windows, doors, …) and infotainment options (music, videos, games).

Entertainment is a key element of MyCar. Information and setting options are presented to the user in an attractive form for processing via the TV, etc. from the comfort of the living room. Designed for integration in the Windows Media Center, the information is entertaining and has a strong visual appeal, always with an invitation for interactive action. For example, the Online Route service presents different routes for short trips or excursions (following the Romantic Road, beer and bratwurst route, etc.), while the Vehicle Status service notifies the vehicle’s owner when action is required (refueling, washing, servicing, etc.).


The following functions are meaningful for MyCar:

  • Audio: car wireless access to MP3, audio books, movies, photos from personal collections (no CDs or memory sticks)
     
  • Vehicle status: fuel status, oil level, lamp check, internal and external temperature
       
  • Evaluating routes: using statistical route data, the customer can determine the best time to commute to work on any day of the week
     
  • Navigation: planning the starting point and destination of a journey plus intermediate stops for transfer to the car navigation system
         
  • Log book: compilation of vehicle data needed to file tax claims for commuting expenses
     
  • Games: Entertainment for passengers on long journeys

Special note

This topic currently forms part of Volkswagen Group Research activities to study feasibility and does not constitute part of series equipment, nor are there currently any plans for series use.