The VW Golf R Touch at CES 2015

Volkswagen at CES 2015 in Las Vegas:

• Gesture control is the key to the future
• CarPlay (Apple) and Android Auto (Google) coming on board this year
• Automated parking
• Inductive charging of electric vehicles

Golf R TouchGolf R Touch

The future belongs to systematically networked vehicles operated with intuitive systems. It’s therefore only fitting that Volkswagen is presenting the Golf R Touch at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (CES / January 6–9): The vehicle is the first compact model in the world whose control elements are operated using hand gestures. Whereas the Golf R Touch offers a preview of the medium-term future, the so-called Connected Golf presents fascinating solutions from the present day. For example, the vehicle allows for the incorporation of the completely different “MirrorLink™”, “Android Auto” (Google), and “Car Play” (Apple) smartphone interfaces into the “App Connect” system. Plans call for “App Connect” to be launched in the U.S. and Europe in conjunction with the latest infotainment systems before the year is out.

With its Golf R Touch concept, Volkswagen is presenting in Las Vegas a vehicle that can precisely interpret hand gestures and convert them into commands. In other words, the technology makes it possible to control displays and functions by means of hand movements without having to touch a touchscreen. For example, a swipe gesture toward the windshield causes the sunroof to close, while the same movement in the opposite direction will open it. The seat adjustment feature in the model is just as clever. The result is a vehicle that enables humans and machines to function as an interactive unit.

The Connected Golf is the most effectively networked vehicle available today. The model’s advanced interface management concept allows for the integration of a huge range of apps, smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches into its completely new-generation infotainment system (MIB II). The Connected Golf also contains a large number of additional innovations. For example, the navigation system automatically detects frequently traveled routes, such as the one taken to work every day, without having to be activated by the driver. It then issues warnings on possible traffic jams and suggests a less congested alternative route.

At this year’s CES, Volkswagen is also presenting the next evolutionary stage of “Park Assist” in the form of “Trained Parking.” This system enables the vehicle to scan a frequently traveled route to a parking space, store the data, and then repeatedly re-travel the route in a partially automated manner. In another innovation stage, it will also be possible to carry out this procedure by remote control. In this case, the driver could exit the vehicle on the way to the parking space stored in and recognized by the system, let the car continue driving in the partially automated mode, and monitor its progress via a remote control device or a smartphone. This will also enable automatic exiting from a parking space along the stored and trained route.

As a fourth highlight in Las Vegas, Volkswagen is presenting the e-Golf Intelligent Charge, which offers a preview of how electric vehicles will be charged inductively in the future. Plugs and cables are no longer needed for this model, which automatically docks above a charging plate.