How Detroit Labs Redesigned Volkswagen's Car-Net Mobile App
An app experience as considered as the cars it connected to
Client
How Detroit Labs Redesigned Volkswagen's Car-Net Mobile App
Industry
Automotive
Detroit Labs partnered with Volkswagen to redesign and rebuild their Car-Net connected vehicle apps for iOS and Android. The existing app was dark, visually inconsistent, and out of step with the VW brand. We rebuilt it from the ground up — native patterns, clean design, and security infrastructure built to handle real vehicle controls.
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 a convenience feature — it let drivers lock and unlock their car, check diagnostics, and start the engine remotely. But the app itself was a liability. Dark, visually inconsistent, and built on non-native patterns, it felt disconnected from everything VW stood for. For a brand known for clean, precise design, the app was a sore thumb. With a new vehicle line launching, that gap couldn't stand.
The Vision
Volkswagen's goal wasn't just a functional app — it was a mobile experience that felt like it belonged in their product family. The same care that went into the car needed to show up on the phone. That meant native patterns, a clean visual language, and an interface that earned the VW badge it carried.
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.
