[Seattleman]

Ever since I heard that Google Maps would provide navigation for the XC40 P8, I have been wondering what happens when we drive in places with no cellular coverage. I assume Google would pre-download the maps when we navigate to the destination, which is in an area with no cellular coverage. What happens if you try to navigate to a new destination when you are in an area with no coverage? Would the navigation be able to function without cellular coverage? Also, does anyone know which US cellular carrier is providing service to the P8 cars?

 

[ColoradoNative]

When last at the dealership I looked at the Google Maps menu. It looks like it works just like your phone. If you plan a route while you have service, the app will ask if it should download maps for that trip in case of areas with no connectivity. Further, when you have service you can download 'Offline Maps', which let's you pick the areas covered.

I'm only guessing, but I hope that Google also provides a base map so you don't get into areas where nothing is displayed. That would be different from how Google maps currently works on phones, but is a feature that is part of every other nav system installed in a car.

 

[Watson58]

Ever since I heard that Google Maps would provide navigation for the XC40 P8, I have been wondering what happens when we drive in places with no cellular coverage. I assume Google would pre-download the maps when we navigate to the destination, which is in an area with no cellular coverage. What happens if you try to navigate to a new destination when you are in an area with no coverage? Would the navigation be able to function without cellular coverage? Also, does anyone know which US cellular carrier is providing service to the P8 cars?

Navigation utilizes GPS which is linked to the satellite system (the "shark fin" antenna in the top back). As long as you can see the sky, service is available.

 

[ColoradoNative]

Navigation utilizes GPS which is linked to the satellite system (the "shark fin" antenna in the top back). As long as you can see the sky, service is available.

We're talking about mapping data, not current GPS coordinates.

 

[blitzswede]

The navigation function is supposed to utilize GPS data (coordinates) when the vehicle loses cell service. But we would need the cell signal service for real time traffic routing and guidance.

 

[ColoradoNative]

... we would need the cell signal service for real time traffic routing and guidance.

... and mapping data showing the roads and buildings. There is no mapping data in the GPS signal - only enough information for the car's GPS reciever to calculate your longitude, latitude and elevation.

FWIW, if you really want full navigation functionality without access to the internet, check out OsmAnd - Offline Street Maps and Navigation. Works under both Android and IOS, and maybe even Android Automotive, the version of Android in the XC40.

 

[Rat]

Typically GPS-based navigation systems maintain a map in the GPS unit itself and are not dependent on constant connection. They must download the maps regularly to stay current and may even use online maps normally, but if the cell service is not available, they should still have a fairly recent map. I've used my Garmin Nuvi for this many times and it works great, even with 10-year-old map data. It doesn't download maps data unless I pay for new maps and I've been too cheap because my cell phone is always current. I don't know exactly how the Google system works, but it should at least have current map data in the unit as of the date of purchase. I suspect it updates that automatically as part of Android auto but I can't guarantee that.

 

[RBEmerson]

??? XC40 and most vehicle nav units don't even know cell phones exist. The maps exist in the nav system electronics. See Volvo XC40 updating map procedures.

 

[ColoradoNative]

XC40 and most vehicle nav units don't even know cell phones exist.

That may be true for piston XC40's with the Sensus infotainment system, but the Recharge P8 relies on Google Maps, and is a different beast.

From the 2021 Recharge P8 owner's manual:

"To help ensure access to maps in Google Maps even when the vehicle has a poor or no Internet connection, map data is saved automatically.
Maps automatically downloads maps based on the vehicle's current location and travel patterns. These maps can be used when the vehicle does not have an Internet connection to

• provide map data to the vehicle's safety and navigation functions
• provide access to Maps in areas with limited or no Internet connection.

A map area can also be selected manually and downloaded."

BTW, This is identical to how Google Maps behaves on cell phones.

 

[RBEmerson]

Missed that little detail. I have '20 RDesign, so different device.

Doing a long trip in our VW Westphalia, knowing I was going to go dark along the way, I preloaded maps for Maps (used a TomTom GPS backed up by Google Maps after the earlier Garmin failed on another trip). I had a pretty good idea about the areas needed, and loaded enough to cover a lot of real estate, thinking the route planned isn't always the route taken.

The TomTom didn't fail (yea!), Maps was as clunky, slow, frustrating as usual, but it did have the needed maps. All it takes is a little advance planning.

 

[blitzswede]

The TomTom didn't fail (yea!), Maps was as clunky, slow, frustrating as usual, but it did have the needed maps. All it takes is a little advance planning.

The TomTom maps update app for our other EV, the Smart EQ has been down for months now and it cannot download updated maps - the problem is known to their tech support, who have been "trying" to fix it forever. Apart from that minor issue(!!), the wife likes their maps layout.

 

[RBEmerson]

Our TomTom Is the stand-alone the motorcycle version (can't recall the model number or proper name). It does a number of things well, and some things not well at all. Overall, it's far more robust and reliable than the Garmin that came before it. And it means not having to deal with Garmin, never a fun experience.

Case on point - I did a motorcycle tour of the Alps in '17. I plotted and uploaded a route through St. Gotthard Pass (nice drive, BTW). The old route still exists and is something of a "rite of passage" - it's all paving blocks! The Garmin a) missed the uphill entrance, and tried to get me to turn onto every cow and goat path along the way. "Detours" included trying to send me into a Swiss military base. Grrr...

Bragging on myself...

("The good stuff" starts a ways in, past where I figure out the Garmin just knifed me - U-turns not recommended. The "Oh snap!" is around 07:00, the good stuff begins around 9:00, the really good stuff is about 1-2 minutes later. That's my Garmin in the console under the windscreen.)

 

[Watson58]

We're talking about mapping data, not current GPS coordinates.

I don't understand your point. The map is downloaded locally. If you ever had to go to the Volvo site and download a map of a region onto a USB (because it is too big to do it via update) then you would realize that the software would upload the data and store it locally. The software simply bring the maps and building pictures into the display based on the GPS signal. So no, you don't need cellular info for navigating the map. You do need cellular data to get info on traffic jams and weather.

 

[RBEmerson]

Under Google Maps, which ColoradoNative was talking about, Maps doesn't just need to know where to put the "you're here" dot. Maps looks ahead to where the vehicle's going and downloads mapping for the appropriate area. Go where there's no service, and Maps can't collect new map data. But... map data can be downloaded manually in advance of going dark. The map data is the same as is collected in real time. The downside is getting, and storing (typically) tens of megabyte files. Using cell service, the excess data can be replaced with whatever's going to be needed.

The only other loss is traffic info, of course. But ...um... if the phone's dark, traffic info may not matter all that much. Funny thing is, driving on I-10 in, literally, stretches of desert, cell connects were often stronger than I can get in my backyard. Go maybe twenty miles north or south of I-10, maybe not so good.

USB uploads are one-time events. Dollars to doughnuts, most people probably don't know they can do it.