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myVW is not built and maintained by VW?!

4.4K views 26 replies 13 participants last post by  Manybees  
#1 · (Edited)
I was recently asked to fill out a new owner survey for our new ID.4. I don't recall the exact content, as I figured like most things that this would go into a blackhole. But I do know I mentioned that the latest version of the app was quite bad: crashing a lot, force logging people out, and still asking for a pin after successful login, etc.

Yesterday I got a response back from a VW customer advocate thanking me for taking the time to fill out the response, etc. etc. and noting that they had updated their documentation, etc. on the issue(s) I mentioned. But here is the part that caught my eye:

If you haven’t done so already, I recommend reaching out to Bosch (Car-Net) to speak with a customer care specialist, as they handle all inquiries for model year 2020 and newer vehicles. They can take a look at your account to make sure there are no issues that need to be addressed and help provide the best course of action to help get this resolved.
So props to VW for getting back in touch, etc. A little odd that they would tell me to contact a different manufacturer for issues related to their product. But even more interesting that apparently all of CarNet is run by Bosch automotive?!?
 
#5 ·
Bosch: great wiper blades, terrible software.

In all seriousness, I'm curious of how much of this is really on Bosch and not VW. Yes the terrible interface is probably in Bosch, but things get muddier when we talk about the timeouts when setting the climate control and lack of other basic functionality like locking remotely. Does Bosch software live in the vehicle or is that all VW software? If it's all VW then the Bosch app is at the mercy of the VW apis it can call. Even if Bosch software is in the car, do they have the ability to push updates to make it work better, or do they have to submit to vw to include in an ota? Or maybe the whole ecosystem is Bosch and they are the ones pushing the otas, but even so they must have to wait for VW approval. It would be nice to know who does what.

Bottom line though, I can't find any references to Bosch in the app. The terms of service are hosted on VW.com, and the app publisher is Volkswagen of America Inc, and the developer contact info is connectedservices@vw.com. for VW to say they are not responsible is total bullshit.
 
#11 ·
...when we talk about the timeouts when setting the climate control and lack of other basic functionality like locking remotely. Does Bosch software live in the vehicle...
Probably, likely.

Bosch is a major player in ECUs, the code that runs cars' systems, and telematics. What's in our ID.s, I don't know.

But it's getting muddier. VW's Cariad is taking over this code from their traditional major suppliers such as Bosch and Continental. VW hasn't started from scratch in our cars, they're taking legacy code and covering it. It's probably a big reason for our buggy interface, missing features, and delays.

Don't get me wrong, it needs to be done. I hope it gets smoother for them and us. Why Bosch is still responsible for Car-Net/MyVW, I don't know. Maybe because they have the server setup to run the show? VW can rightly regard software as a new core competency, but maintaining data centers probably ought to continue to be contacted out.
 
#12 ·
I have no problem with VW outsourcing the code writing and/or the call center, but yes I consider the folks who place an emblem so prominently on my vehicle are "buck stops here" responsible for everything pertaining to same.

I have many Bosch tools and appliances and have found them to be generally superior to others. But of course this system/call center may be just another sub-division acquisition for Bosch and their corporate culture of quality may not, yet, have extended to same.

For myVW to point to the dealership and vice versa for resolution is unacceptable, especially for a system we think will one day support OTA vehicle firmware updates!

btw: I'm waiting until this Friday to again try myVW access. I've had no access since the Car-Net -> myVW transition due to a "password repetition" lockout (I've not fat fingered same). My 3rd call center inquiry conveyed the now typical "7-10 days for resolution" (used to cite 48 hours). Good thing I don't highly value this service but do want it viable in case we some day are surprised with an OTA update.

Probably, likely.

Bosch is a major player in ECUs, the code that runs cars' systems, and telematics. What's in our ID.s, I don't know.

But it's getting muddier. VW's Cariad is taking over this code from their traditional major suppliers such as Bosch and Continental. VW hasn't started from scratch in our cars, they're taking legacy code and covering it. It's probably a big reason for our buggy interface, missing features, and delays.

Don't get me wrong, it needs to be done. I hope it gets smoother for them and us. Why Bosch is still responsible for Car-Net/MyVW, I don't know. Maybe because they have the server setup to run the show? VW can rightly regard software as a new core competency, but maintaining data centers probably ought to continue to be contacted out.
 
#7 ·
I was recently asked to fill out a new owner survey for our new ID.4. I don't recall the exact content, as I figured like most things that this would go into a blackhole. But I do know I mentioned that the latest version of the app was quite bad: crashing a lot, force logging people out, and still asking for a pin after successful login, etc.

Yesterday I got a response back from a VW customer advocate thanking me for taking the time to fill out the response, etc. etc. and noting that they had updated their documentation, etc. on the issue(s) I mentioned. But here is the part that caught my eye:



So props to VW for getting back in touch, etc. A little odd that they would tell me to contact a different manufacturer for issues related to their product. But even more interesting that apparently all of CarNet is run by Bosch automotive?!?
One thing we need to take into account is the quality of the network provider, where I live, a suburb of Memphis, TN, the quality of signal from Verizon, and to be honest of all cellular providers is bad to say the least, so we may be blaming the software timeouts on WV or BOSH or whoever writes the app, when in fact even the best design is dammed if the quality of the network is not up to the task.
I cannot think BOSH or VW, would go out with a product that fails this much, and I bet their software QA tests look goodm but it is when you deploy and get into real life that the issues come out.
 
#13 ·
Yes, WiFi would be a good backup. I believe VW went with cellular-only as the 'least common denominator' for connectivity as home WiFi can have many more variables/issues dependent on the homeowner's equipment and configuration.

Having said that, as I'm sure many/most other members, I have many WiFi-only systems around my home including Nest security, Liftmaster garage door openers, Wemo lighting, Generac generator, quintessential Amazon Alexa, etc. that work just fine. Of course none as important as motor vehicle operational safety.

Worst case for owners with poor local cellular reception would likely be a dealership visit for code update. As we think we know, the upcoming major software update in the USA will be dealership-only.

One thing we need to take into account is the quality of the network provider, where I live, a suburb of Memphis, TN, the quality of signal from Verizon, and to be honest of all cellular providers is bad to say the least, so we may be blaming the software timeouts on WV or BOSH or whoever writes the app, when in fact even the best design is dammed if the quality of the network is not up to the task.
I cannot think BOSH or VW, would go out with a product that fails this much, and I bet their software QA tests look goodm but it is when you deploy and get into real life that the issues come out.
 
#9 ·
Just thought it was intersting. The compute platform in the car itself we know is built by Continental. But I don’t know if we know who wrote the software that runs on that platform or who built the connected car module.

This isn’t unique to VW. The Mach E motors were built by Magna I believe. The Bolt drive system is built by LG. And it goes.

at the moment Tesla is one of the few I think building their entire software stack. I know VW is insourcing that under CARid but it’s gonna take awhile.
 
#16 ·
Brought to you by Bosch, the same company that brought you Diesel Gate. I would think that VW would learn and not use a vendor like that, but it is certainly easier to give them a spec and write a check than to develop this in-house.
 
#18 ·
I certainly have an easier time blaming Bosch for a crappy MyVW than I do for dieselgate. Doesn't matter if Bosch wrote the code (I got a check from them, too) – they initially wrote it for a specific purpose per VW's request, then VW saw they could use it to cheat and gave further direction to make it so. Bosch should have said No but I can't blame dieselgate on them other than being a willing participant.
 
#19 ·
I agree to some point, but being a willing participant still makes you guilty. Back to the MyVW issue. VW should have never accepted the app as written, even if the specs were met, UNLESS all the bugs are part of the spec.
 
#20 ·
I suspect that Bosch is providing the telematics system for the car (we know the computer itself is from Continential from press and other posts here The Volkswagen ID.4 – Sustainable Mobility with Technology from Continental - Continental Corporation USA). What you don't see in that Continental picture are offboard communications/telematics/etc.

Bosch's website has gotten very obtuse and hard to drill into specific products, but I'm going to guess that they provide the onboard modem, car status, services for those emergency call buttons on the roof, etc. etc. But I can't find anything to 'prove' that beyond this original e-mail saying 'you should get in touch with CarNet/Bosch about your issues'. Certainly no press releases, etc. that Google turns up.
 
#22 ·
FYI, I contacted Bosch about their software. Got this reply:

Dear Mr. Nay,

We are sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with your product. However, the application of products is usually the responsibility of the manufacturers. Therefore, we have to ask you to contact VW.

Mit freundlichen GrĂĽĂźen / Best regards
 
#27 · (Edited)
If I remember correctly, when I read the terms of service when I signed up for Car-Net when I bought my e-Golf back in 2018, Car-Net was originally created and run by Verizon Telematics. I think Bosch has only recently taken over the app and the service in the past year or so, so they are probably fighting a losing battle against a buggy mess of legacy code that they inherited from Verizon. In any case, I believe that Bosch is responsible for the WeConnect app and service, which is the European version of Car-Net/myVW, and from what I've heard about WeConnect, I don't think myVW is necessarily in better hands.