Volvo has revealed it is adding Microsoft’s Skype for Business to its 90 Series cars – XC90, S90 and V90 – a first in the automotive sector.
As cars get more and more connected, there are more and more distractions for drivers. So it does seem somewhat counter to Volvo’s safety first mantra that they should add Skype for Business to their 90 Series cars.
It’s not even as if Volvo are offering Microsoft’s business conference call functionality just for the back seat passenger, because Volvo doesn’t offer screens in the back as an option. So this is aimed at the driver.
All that said, Volvo reckons Skype for Business is the safest and most intuitive way to conduct a meeting whilst you’re behind the wheel. Anders Tylman-Mikiewic, Volvo’s Connectivity VP, said:
We’ve all been there. Sitting in the car trying to join a conference call. Having to enter a phone number and long pin code is not the easiest process, and your attention is not where it should be – on the road. With the addition of Skype for Business all that goes away.
Clearly Volvo are looking to make their 90 Series cars a perfect mobile office for the busy executive, and this will certainly help, as will the likely addition of Microsoft’s Cortana personal assistant at some point to the 90 Series.
Once we get to the point where Autonomous Driving is properly possible without driver input, this looks a properly useful addition to Volvo’s connectivity.
Let’s hope that until then the Volvo driver on a conference call pulls over to make it.
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