Astro vac.. what’s this wire?

Just moved in. House had a central vac. Not sure what this wire is for. Is it .. necessary or important?

I’ve tried it a couple times, works great for when I’m in the garage for cleaning out car and stuff. Just noticed the wires today.

Side note.. I also don’t understand how these things made peoples lives more convenient for the whole home implementation. If I’m upstairs.. you’re telling me I have to go all the way downstairs and then into my garage just to turn this thing on, to walk all the way back upstairs to use it??