Polestar 3 Owners Experience the Future of Connected Car Technology
Polestar 3 owners are already living in the future with their vehicles, thanks to the company’s advanced connected car technology. The Swedish automaker has been implementing over-the-air (OTA) software and hardware updates, revolutionizing the way vehicles are maintained and improved.
Since the Polestar 3’s launch in 2024, the company has rolled out nine OTA software updates as of February 20. This technology allows Polestar to continuously enhance its vehicles over time, adding new features and improving existing ones without the need for physical visits to dealerships.
“With our over-the-air updates, we can continue to make our cars better over time,” said Michael Lohscheller, Polestar CEO, in a press release. “Our customers asked for digital key functionality, and so we delivered.”
Polestar is committed to upgrading its vehicles throughout their lifecycle using OTAs. While these updates are currently complimentary, experts suggest that in the future, the automaker might offer subscription-based services for new features or upgrades.
The ability to update both software and hardware is a significant advancement. Model year 2026 Polestar 3s will come equipped with the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processor, enabling hardware updates alongside software. Owners of earlier models will be eligible for a complimentary hardware upgrade, which will require a visit to a service center.
“Polestar 3, the first software-defined vehicle from Europe, gets even more brain power,” Lohscheller said, highlighting the company’s commitment to delivering the best ownership experience.
According to Paul Waatti, director of industry analysis at AutoPacific, Polestar’s push into hardware OTA updates marks the next frontier in over-the-air technology. As software-defined vehicles become the norm, automakers will increasingly use OTA updates to enhance powertrain efficiency, driving dynamics, and even extend hardware capabilities long after production.
Tony Salerno, vice president of business development for auto analytics at J.D. Power, noted that OTAs also have a significant impact on remarketing. By adding features to off-lease units at little to no cost, manufacturers can increase the vehicle’s value, creating financial benefits in portfolio management and residual values.
