Audi adds parking, fueling, charging, and washing apps to its portfolio

Audi has added two services to its app portfolio, one that finds and pays for parking and another that offers contactless fueling, charging, and washing. 

“Intelligent networking makes driving more comfortable, efficient and safer,” an Audi press release says. “That is Audi’s goal in the digitalization of the vehicle. With immediate effect, the brand is adding two services to its app portfolio — already featuring offerings from partners across entertainment, gaming, and music — with two services that contribute to this orientation.”

“EasyPark” and “ryd” expand Audi’s growing portfolio of digital solutions, the release says. It claims Audi is the first automaker to integrate these third-party apps directly into the multi-media interface (MMI) infotainment system. 

The ryd app is already available across all Audi models with the Audi Application Store in Europe. EasyPark will be rolled out gradually in Europe by the end of the first quarter. 

EasyPark works with more than 60,000 parking locations in and around European cities, from public parking spots to private parking lots and parking garages, the release says. 

“As soon as the vehicle stops in a supported parking area and the transmission is put into the so-called parking position ‘P,’ a pop-up window in the MMI display opens the pre-installed app,” the release says. 

A message alerts the driver that EasyPark supports the parking area and asks if they want to start the parking process. 

“Just one tap and the digital parking meter starts ticking,” the release says. “As the end of the prepaid time nears, the app informs users via their smartphone. They are then able to extend the time limit directly via the same device or the MMI. The system automatically terminates the parking time as soon as the Audi exits the parking spot and accelerates to more than 15 kilometers an hour.”

The ryd app works for contactless fueling, charging, and washing at established chains and local businesses in Germany, as well as at 90% of all charging points. 

Across Europe, the app covers 10,000 fuel stations and more than 1 million charging points. 

“Here’s how it works: fuel stations in the vicinity are automatically detected. A pop-up window in the MMI display then opens the pre-installed app: select the desired fuel station, enter the pump number, determine the maximum fuel amount and the preferred means of payment, and follow the further instructions on the screen,” the release says. “After fueling, get back into your car, wait briefly for confirmation in the MMI display, and drive on.”

The app also works on a similar principle for charging. The driver can also customize the app to find a charging station that is farther away. The e-tron route planner then starts the pre-conditioning, the release says. 

As with parking and fueling, the app will automatically open and ask to activate. The process ends by pulling the plug or via the MMI display in the vehicle.

Washing can also be booked at a participating station with a few clicks in the app, the release says. 

The Audi Application Store already offers streaming services through third-party apps such as Disney+, DAZN, YouTube, and AirConsole, along with Spotify and Bloomberg. 

“The Audi Application Store, which was developed in collaboration with CARIAD, is integrated directly into the MMI and does not require a smartphone,” the release says. “In addition to the infotainment system, the “Audi Application Store and Smartphone Interface” equipment, a myAudi account, and an active data connection are required to use the store.”

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Photo courtesy of Audi.