[GrecianVolvo]

Here is some more on the Telematics options, as promised: <br>Volvo's On Call Plus system integrates the car's built-in telephone with the airbags, inflatable curtains, seat belt pretensioners and alarm systems. <br>The On Call Plus system utilizes:<br>* GPS (Global Positioning System) technology to determine vehicle's location<br>* The vehicle's built-in telephone to establish voice contact eith the On Call Plus service center<p>The On Call Plus system is active when the ignition key is in position I or II and for 96 hours after the key has been switched off.<p>The system is equipped with a back-up battery that enables an activated service to be completed, even if the vehicle's normal electrical system has been disrupted.<p>The On Call Plus system automatically notifies the On Call Plus service center in two situations:<br>* In an accident where a collision sensor activates a front or side airbag, an inflatable curtain, or a seat belt pretensioner. Activation of the WHIPS system will not initiate automatic notification to the service center.<br>* If the vehicle's anti-theft alarm is triggered.<p>One can also manually initiate contact with the Service Center. This is done by pressing and holding either the On Call or SOS button for at least 2 seconds. Those buttons can be used even when the key is NOT in the ignition.<p>Automatic Collision Notification <br>When any supplemental restraint system (SRS) sensor in the car is activated:<br>1. A call is automatically initiated from the On Call Plus system in the vehicle to the On Call Plus service senter.<br>2. The service center then talks to someone on the vehicle to assess the situation and determine the need for assistance.<br>3. The service center then contacts other support services, who send required assistance to the vehicle's location.<p>Automatic Theft Notification <br>When the vehicle's alarm system is triggered:<br>1. The On Call Plus service center is automatically notified if the alram is not turned off within 15 seconds.<br>2. The On Call Plus service center then tries to establish contact with the owner of the vehicle or another authorized person.<br>3. If theft is confirmed, the On Call Plus service center and the owner decide on further action (police, tracking, etc.).<p>Remore Unlocking/Alarm Deactivation <br>1. If you are locked out of your vehicle, then you can contact the On Call Plus service senter via their toll-free telephone number.<br>2. The On Call Plus service center can send a signal to unlock the vehicle and deactivate the alarm.<br>3. Sedans only: Complete the unlocking sequence by depressing the trunk handle twice, which is located on the underside of the rear edge of the trunk lid.<p>NOTE: The remote unlocking function is only available within 96 hours from the time at which the vehicle was locked. Also, note that if the car is parked e.g., in an underground parking garage, remote unlocking may not be possible due to poor telephone reception.<p>That's it for now...the more we learn, the more we will post and/or be able to answer further questions. Very nice system... Volvo should have been offering it, already.<p>Yannis

 

[Kaizai]

Re: Telematics (GrecianVolvo)

dude this is like cheating! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmilep.gif" BORDER="0">

 

[Chipshot]

Re: Telematics (GrecianVolvo)

Thanks for all the good information! I ordered my car with the option and will try to remember to report on it after delivery, though I hope I most of the features listed are never activated. I also hope it doesn't delay delivery. As should be with a company vehicle, I'm in line behind customer orders and at the mercy of production scheduling.<p>Of course any early word such as you provided prompts plenty of questions: Any idea on pricing? Must telephone service be procured from a particular provider (Sprint, Verizon, etc.)? Is the phone hands-free/voice-activated?

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: Telematics (Kaizai)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>dude this is like cheating! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmilep.gif" BORDER="0"><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>Hey, what can I say? I guess I am a...creative cheater! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmilep.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>Yannis

 

[Chipshot]

Re: Telematics (Chipshot)

Well, I received an email today which showed the price (probably not the retail amount, so I won't post it here) and corresponding monthly lease impact and asked me and the other four people who had ordered telematics (refered to as "On-Call Plus") whether we still wanted it (them?).<p>It wasn't that much, but I think I can put the money to better use this time around. If the car was for my wife I would probably have kept the option. As I said previously, I also didn't want it to cause any delivery delays. So y'all are going to have to get firsthand information on this system from someone else. Sorry!

 

[Chipshot]

Re: More Telematics Info

OK, my last post on this subject. Adding to the above is the following press release:<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>BOSTON, Md., Oct. 8, 2002 -- Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) and Cross Country Automotive Services (Cross Country) announced the availability of Volvo On Call Plus (VOCP), Volvo's first comprehensive telematics system in the United States. Volvo On Call Plus, available in selected 2003 models, was built in collaboration with Cross Country and features automatic crash notification, mayday services, alarm notification, stolen vehicle tracking, location-enabled roadside assistance, remote door unlock, and remote vehicle diagnostics. <p>Reinforcing Volvo's commitment to safety and personal security, the telematics system utilizes advanced multiplex information management, backup battery and antenna sources to help ensure systems operation in the event of an accident. In addition to recognizing the deployment of airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, the system is also capable of detecting severe rear end collisions and can connect automatically to the call center if any of the systems have been activated. The back-up battery and antenna are located in the dashboard and is as far away from the crash location as possible, further distinguishing Volvo On Call Plus from other solutions available on the market today. <p>Built by Cross Country, the technology infrastructure is capable of handling voice and data communications. Cross Country played a critical role in developing, the response center's interface, vehicle data decoding/processing protocols, and platform for routing incoming/outgoing data. Cross Country's response center is responsible for managing the critical voice and data communications to and from the vehicle after an accident. <p>"We are exited to launch Volvo's first telematics system for the U.S. market, and to announce our partnership with Cross Country," said Klas-Eino Klaesson, manager, Aftersales Projects, Volvo. "Volvo's safety approach, combined with our telematics technology and back-up systems, make this solution unique in the industry." <p>In addition to developing the technical infrastructure, Cross Country and Volvo created an activation and provisioning Web site that ensures that Volvo's On Call Plus is easily and quickly operational. As the vehicle rolls off the assembly line, the factory sends an electronic file directly to Cross Country providing vehicle information that is stored in a pre-activated database. <p>As a buyer purchases a Volvo automobile equipped with the Volvo On Call Plus system, the retailer enters the activation Web site and enrolls the new owner in the service. Volvo On Call Plus is free for the first year of service. Once this initial activation process is complete, Volvo's On Call Plus is ready for use. The Volvo On Call Plus specialist is available to take the first call, review available service features, as well as collect additional personal information that maybe helpful should an accident occur. <p>Seamlessly integrated into the instrument panel and the center armrest of the S80 sedan, sporty S60 sedan or versatile V70 wagon, the system incorporates a dash mounted easy-touch keypad and handset for mobile phone. Hands-free operation is accomplished via a microphone located above the interior rearview mirror and a dedicated speaker located in the driver's seat headrest. Steering wheel mounted controls and a display menu in the instrument cluster provide easy operation. <p>Volvo On Call Plus is standard on the 2003 S80 T6, available as a factory option on the 2003 S80 2.9 and the entire line of 2003 S60, V70 and V70 Cross Country models.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: Telematics (GrecianVolvo)

It was reported before that CINGULAR was the company contracted with Volvo to use the integrated telephone that comes with the Telematics; the company is <b>AT&T Wireless</b>, not Cingular.<p>Yannis

 

[GrecianVolvo]

1st Volvo On Call Plus experience, today...

OK...curiosity got the better of me...After I took a class, yesterday, where I learned a lot more about Volvo On Call Plus, etc., I could not wait any longer and decided to activate the feature on one of the new wagons that we just got it. In this case, I chose the Titanium Grey Metallic V70 T5 which will be our "mule", if you will, where we will demonstrate this feature to customers until it is sold.<br>I went to the website, vocplus.com, where I logged in, I created a customer profile (in this case it was me) and after the registration process I was given 4 or 5 different types of codes. I must make a note that the car had been fully PDI'd and all software had been downloaded. Anyway, after the registration through the website, I went to the car, turned the engine on and followed the 39-step process (actually, it was not that hard, pretty simple) that took me through registering those codes, etc. and then I was asked to place my "activation call to the VCOP Service Center". I made sure the telephone switch was lit up and then I pressed (and help) the "ON CALL" button for 2 secs. Through the Driver Information Module, I monitored the progress of the connection. The satellite link took a few seconds before the call went through and I was placed on hold with the Service Center, listening to classical music through the speakerphone right behind my head, inside the headrest.<p>After waiting for a period of about 20 seconds, a gentleman answered and I informed him that this was my "activation call". He seemed overly excited and told me that I was "one of their first calls"...He proceeded to verify my name and the VIN of the car. Then, he welcomed me and asked me if I can hang on so he could verify the position of my car. I said "OK" and waited a few seconds...he told me that according to the latitude and longitude showing on his screen, I was located in Southern Pennsylvania although he could not verify at that time the town. He asked me to wait a little longer in order to get another satellite feedback but I told him not to worry. The he proceeded with info that impressed me. He went: <b><i>"According to information on my screen, I show one door open (my door was slightly ajar), exterior temperature readinf is 72 degrees (the car's display showed 71!), interior (!!!) temperature reading is 75 degrees and you have about 2 gallons of fuel left (yes, the gas light was on!!!)"</i></b> Holy schmolly! Big Brother at its finest!!! Kind of spooky but I guess it is what it is...So, anyway, we bade farewell and that was it!<p>12 months are free, it costs $19/mo. after that period.<p><br>Yannis<br>