Press Kit: Uconnect 5

Auburn Hills, Mich. January 26, 2020 - The Uconnect experience is expanding its functionality outside of the vehicle itself; it is more connected, helpful, content-rich and adds the most personalization available. What was once just about the radio has evolved into a customer-centric, digital ecosystem with a much larger percentage of cloud-enabled features.
 
“We see the ‘digital platform’ as the next frontier in automotive and a significant purchase reason for customers,” said Mark Bosanac, Head of Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care, FCA – North America. “Much more than just a bigger touchscreen radio, the new Uconnect 5 is a powerful, global, core foundation to build from and scalable across all FCA brands.”
 
Personalization
Personalization is one of the attractive features related to consumer products and personal electronics have created a nearly infinite landscape of opportunity. The all-new Uconnect 5 features several fully customizable interfaces, storing up to five different user profiles plus a valet mode, desirable for both novice and experts alike. Each customer can build their own profile, featuring preferences for music and vehicle operation. The system also connects vehicle-side systems to a driver’s profile, such as temperature settings, seat position and mirror placement. Switching between user profiles is simple and can be handled by a single touch. 
 
Voice Recognition
The all-new Uconnect 5 adds exclusive features to the overall system and new features to specific vehicles for the first time. For example, voice recognition is now available on all product lines. Better control of features in the vehicle with voice is arguably the most important technology to continue improving. Uconnect 5 features a new voice recognition engine with software, microphone technology and natural voice capability. Statements that would normally only be understood in human-to-human conversation can now be used to communicate with the navigation system, such as “Find an available EV charging station near me.” The advanced voice control system also improves its listening ability in high background noise situations, such as a rolled down window or rain hitting the windshield. Additionally, the embedded FCA voice recognition system has a new "wake up word" available that correlates to the brand of the vehicle: “Hey Chrysler, change the temperature to 70 degrees.” This feature eliminates the need to press a button to initiate the voice recognition system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also can be controlled via voice, engaged by pressing the voice recognition button.
 
Alexa
With the Uconnect skill for Alexa, customers with Alexa-enabled devices at home can easily ask Alexa to start the car, lock/unlock doors and more. Uconnect 5 brings Amazon Alexa directly into the vehicle itself, giving occupants the freedom to interact with Alexa just as they do at home or on a personal device. With Alexa built-in, occupants can ask Alexa to play music, podcasts and audiobooks; add items to their to-do list; check news, weather, traffic, sports and other real-time information; and access tens of thousands of Alexa skills. Responses and streaming audio are delivered through the vehicle’s audio system, allowing anyone in the entire vehicle to easily interact with Alexa.
 
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The award-winning Uconnect system offers new conveniences, keeping customers engaged and informed all while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available on more than 80 percent of FCA’s North American applications. Uconnect 5 will bring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to 100 percent of FCA’s North American offerings. The feature also adds wireless connectivity, allowing customers to wirelessly project phone apps quick and easy while leaving phones securely stowed.
 
Dual-phone Connectivity
The all-new Uconnect 5 features the ability to connect two Bluetooth phones simultaneously. This addresses many users who carry multiple phones or for passenger interaction with the Uconnect system along with the driver. Either way, Uconnect can manage input from two different devices with the ability to name one a priority over the other for various functions, including navigation, phone, music selection and text messages.
 
Navigation
Uconnect’s all-new advanced navigation is an intuitive built-in solution from TomTom navigation, integrating the latest technology. The Uconnect built-in navigation now includes TomTom’s traffic, EV & connected services, giving drivers the latest information for a safer and smoother journey.

Similar to personal devices, One-Box-Search makes it easy and intuitive to find a destination (search by voice or text). Unlike personal devices, even without internet connectivity, search and guidance continue to work with the system simply switching to offline map data.

Guidance is enhanced with the best possible routing, featuring the ability to add a destination along your route and an ETA that offers alternative routes with time extensions. Destination Prediction enables the system to learn when it is time to prompt the driver with guidance towards one of the user-saved favorite places.

Maps Over the Air and Last Mile Navigation also are new to Uconnect. Maps Over the Air is a TomTom technology which automatically detects, downloads and installs relevant available map updates in the background, without disrupting the navigation experience. Last mile navigation provides walking directions from your vehicle to your final destination, via the Uconnect companion smartphone app.

The built-in navigation links vehicle systems to the route, accomplishing what phone navigation systems cannot. By 2022, FCA will offer more than 30 nameplates with electrified powertrains, half of which are PHEV or BEV, creating a need for charging stations to be integrated with the maps.

Dynamic Range Mapping helps the driver to visualize the vehicle’s range by displaying on the map how far they can drive with current fuel/charge levels. If the range is insufficient to make it to the selected destination, Uconnect 5 will make suggestions for recharging /refueling with a cost comparison. A warning appears on-screen, prompting the user to choose a charging point/fuel station which is available and within range.

Multi-lane guidance provides specific lane information and detailed turns to help navigate through complicated intersections and on/off ramps, highlighting the suggested route well ahead of commanded guidance. Uconnect projects this information, as well as speed camera, traffic and hazard warnings to the vehicle’s cluster screen. This feature reduces lateral head movement so drivers can focus their attention on the road.
 
Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) Updates
Servicing and updating your FCA vehicle has never been easier. In-vehicle messaging will notify owners when an oil change is needed. This and other features work in harmony with the Vehicle Health Report and Vehicle Health Alert to provide the most up-to-date information. For some updates, FOTA will automatically load the improved software to the vehicle, seamlessly. Other services can be handled at your local dealer with a Service Scheduling feature.
 
Apps and Services
Uconnect 5 uses a cloud-based platform to power connectivity and deliver a full array of services, including the Uconnect Market in-vehicle commerce platform. This feature provides customers the opportunity to conveniently order food, find the nearest gas station, save money on fuel purchases and make dinner reservations, all from the comfort of the vehicle. With the new platform, FCA owners will be able to skip lines and save time by ordering (and paying for) food and beverages, reserve a table on the way to their favorite restaurant or locate and securely authorize pump-and-pay fuel at participating locations. Drivers can also locate and pay for nearby parking and schedule service appointments at FCA dealerships, all while in the vehicle without having to reach for a physical credit card.
 
With cost of ownership concerns top of mind for business owners, a Fleet Telematics Data feature will help provide fleet owners and managers with a broad range of vehicle data, diagnostics and driver behavior information to help them better understand how fleets are being used and to improve operational efficiency. Also, the Uconnect 5 system includes a new Drive Rating feature, which offers ways to improve driving habits that could help qualify for discounts on insurance.
 
Uconnect 5’s Android operating system lays the foundation to bring access to a broad catalog of applications and the adaptability preps the platform for future growth.
 
Wi-Fi
4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is improved with a faster operating system. Processing speeds that are five times faster assist in keeping up to eight devices connected. The new software, hardware and operating system take the next evolutional step toward 5G. Uconnect 5 includes a three-month subscription as part of the vehicle purchase.
 
Uconnect Mobile App
Uconnect’s history began with phone integration and continues to evolve. With the available Uconnect app, you can use your smartphone to start your engine, lock or unlock your vehicle or receive a notification. Other features of the Uconnect app include:

• Family Drive Alerts
• Send Destination to Vehicle
• Vehicle Finder
• Recall Alerts
• My Dealer
• Remote Vehicle Status
• Service Coupons
• Remote Horn & Light

Inside the vehicle, SOS Call provides external assistance at the touch of a button. An automatic feature calls for outside assistance if the vehicle senses a crash has taken place. With Assist Call, owners can contact the Uconnect customer care team for help with their vehicle or instructions on using a Uconnect system. Stolen Vehicle Assistance can help police track a vehicle’s location and Family Drive Alerts delivers notifications to concerned parents when boundary, curfew or speed limits are broken. Owners can also receive a notification when someone else drives the vehicle while in Valet Alert mode.
 
SiriusXM With 360L
FCA was the first in the industry to offer SiriusXM with 360L and is the only automaker that provides owners with a 12-month trial of the next-generation audio listening experience. 
 
The 12-month trial of the SiriusXM with 360L All Access package includes:

• Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora
• More than 200 satellite and streaming channels
• Free On Demand shows, performances and interviews
• Personalized recommendations based on what they’re listening to
• An improved Live Sports Category experience, which makes finding and listening to your favorite team or game easier than ever before
• All content can be accessed in the vehicle, online or via the SiriusXM smartphone app

UX in the Market
The Uconnect digital platform has become a significant reason for purchase, tailored for each brand, vehicle and region. FCA research has shown that 51 percent of new-car buyers consider in-vehicle technology as part of their purchase. Also, 64 percent of customers reported their technology experience made them more likely to buy from the same brand (Source: 2018 Harris Poll Auto TechCast). The award-winning Uconnect system has led the industry in content and exclusive features since its inception in 2003 and the fifth generation continues the momentum.
 
Electrification
FCA will offer more than 30 nameplates with electrified powertrains by 2022. Owners who purchase a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery-electric vehicle (BEV) will be delighted to see pages in the Uconnect system dedicated to electrification and power routing. The software also provides Eco Coaching to achieve the greatest range of an FCA electric vehicle. Standard on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Hybrid Electric Pages provide you with information on the vehicle's power flow and driving history and let you schedule charging times, so you're never caught off guard — all using the Uconnect touchscreen. You can also use the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid App to check the vehicle's battery charge, vehicle range and estimated time to full recharge, as well as set the charging schedule, receive charge status updates and locate charging stations.
 
Unique Features for Each Brand
Each brand has its own features within the Uconnect software that align with the vehicle; Performance Pages for enthusiasts looking to measure 0-60 times and lateral force, or Jeep® Off Road Pages showing driveline torque routing, real-time vehicle pitch and roll angles. Customers love and are loyal to the brands under FCA partially due to heritage. Uconnect 5 is an opportunity to mix the two pieces in a display of tradition and technology that delivers on the growing expectations of our customers and expands the user experience.
 

FCA
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is a global automaker that designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles in a portfolio of exciting brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep®, Lancia, Ram and Maserati. It also sells parts and services under the Mopar name and operates in the components and production systems sectors under the Comau and Teksid brands. FCA employs nearly 200,000 people around the globe. For more details regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please visit www.fcagroup.com.