VW Car-Net
Bringing Volkswagen's connected car platform to millions of drivers
Client
VW Car-Net
Industry
Automotive
Detroit Labs partnered with Volkswagen to bring their Car-Net connected vehicle platform to life through new mobile apps for iOS and Android. This project helped VW deliver a more seamless, secure, and intuitive digital experience for drivers across the U.S.
Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest automakers, with a long history of engineering innovation. They came to Detroit Labs to modernize their Car-Net mobile app—a key touchpoint for drivers managing their vehicles remotely. With new in-car tech rolling out across their fleet, VW needed an app experience that could keep pace.
The Challenge
Car-Net was more than just a convenience feature. It let drivers lock and unlock their car, check diagnostics, and even start the engine remotely. But the existing app experience didn’t reflect the quality or ambition of VW’s connected platform. It was slow to update, hard to use, and inconsistent across devices. With the launch of a new vehicle line on the horizon, Volkswagen needed a mobile experience that matched their in-car innovation.
The Vision
Volkswagen’s goal was to create an app that felt as modern and thoughtful as the cars it connected to. That meant rebuilding the experience around what drivers actually needed: quick access to vehicle controls, a clean and intuitive interface, and rock-solid reliability. They wanted the app to be more than a utility—it needed to be part of what made owning a VW better.
The Process
We started by digging into the core use cases: What do drivers need most? What’s frustrating today? What’s missing entirely? This research shaped everything from the architecture to the UI. Working in agile sprints, we co-created with Volkswagen’s internal teams, blending their automotive expertise with our mobile experience.
Because security was paramount, we also worked closely with VW’s internal security teams to vet every piece of the infrastructure. From authentication flows to over-the-air command delivery, everything was designed to keep the app fast, responsive, and safe.
The Solution
The redesigned Car-Net app gave VW drivers a better way to interact with their vehicles. Key features included remote start and stop, lock and unlock, location tracking, and service scheduling—all wrapped in a streamlined, branded interface. We delivered apps for both iOS and Android, along with ongoing support and feature development.
Volkswagen’s internal teams gained more flexibility and visibility too, thanks to improved tooling and diagnostics baked into the platform. The app became a core part of how VW delivered value to customers—not just at purchase, but every time they drove.
