Kia launches update: Silence at the touch of a button

Kia is improving the operating systems in numerous vehicles with an extensive update. The manufacturer promises 153 new features. These include a significantly upgraded route planner for electric cars, which provides information on arrival time, charging status and charging stations. Another new feature is that preconditioning is activated when the driver searches for charging stations using voice recognition. Voice control also supports other commands, for example to control the ambient lighting and the instrument cluster. The music streaming service Soundcloud is also integrated.

Quiet at the touch of a button

Since 7 July, all cars registered in the EU for the first time have been required to issue a visual and acoustic warning if a speed limit is exceeded. This can be switched off temporarily, but is switched on again every time the car is restarted. However, numerous test cars show considerable deficits in the detection of traffic signs. A warning is sometimes issued although it is not necessary – and reversed. The manufacturers are aware of this and usually approach the problem from two sides. On the one hand, it can be assumed that the detection rate will improve. What some manufacturers deliver in this respect cannot be a permanent offer. Secondly, they initially make it easier to switch off this warning. Mercedes has created a button at the top level for this purpose. Kia makes this possible via a steering wheel button following an extensive update to the operating system. Many people have probably been waiting for this, because until now the driver has had to deactivate the often misleading warning every time they start the vehicle if they don't want to be repeatedly beeped at for no reason.

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Who will get it?

The update will gradually reach all Kia cars from model year 2022 onwards that can receive updates in this way over the air (OTA). Most Kia models include two OTA updates within the first year, only the EV9 has six. If you want to stay up to date after that without visiting a dealer, you have to take out a subscription for 89 euros per year, which then includes two packages. Kia also appears to have upgraded the transfer to the car. According to the press release, over-the-air updates can be carried out significantly faster thanks to three times the bandwidth.

(mfz)