The Uconnect 5 infotainment system has been unveiled by FCA, promising to be more helpful, content rich and personalized than ever before.
With future growth in mind, the Uconnect 5 architecture is now scalable across all FCA brands and prepares for the integration of further advanced technology with an Android operating system that brings access to a broad catalog of applications.
Uconnect’s system processing power, reaction speed and memory have been enhanced to take advantage of the new Android operating system. The Atlantis architecture replaces Powernet as the next generation of FCA core in-vehicle electronics communication. In combination with an upgraded 50K MIP chip, 6GB of RAM and up to 64GB of flash memory, Uconnect 5 is claimed to deliver five-times faster operating speeds when compared with the previous generation.
Additional outputs enable up to four displays in the vehicle. With up to 15m pixels in Ultra HD, screens can work separately or in harmony, depending on user preference and purpose. The all-new Uconnect 5 also represents the most screen area ever offered in an FCA product at up to 12.3in.
The UX design team worked hand in hand with the interior, color and material design teams to integrate the new technology into each vehicle and make appropriate use of the three available screen styles – portrait, square and landscape. UX designers created detailed backdrops to match interior colors and themes. Screen graphics are specific to brand and vehicle trim level. Surface integration also plays a role and is designed to coordinate with the surrounding interior materials. FCA says that care has been taken with screen edges, location, angle and depth for proper viewing.
The Android operating system has created extensive opportunities for personalization. There are several fully customizable interfaces storing up to five different user profiles. 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, seating position and mirror placement. Switching between user profiles can be handled by a single touch.
Other Uconnect 5 features include: integration with Amazon Alexa; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity; the ability to connect two Bluetooth phones simultaneously; a new, built-in navigation solution from TomTom with automatic Maps Over the Air downloads and walking directions via a Uconnect smartphone app; SiriusXM with 360L; claimed five-times faster processing speeds for the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot; and additional elements to reduce distracted driving such as improved voice recognition and control with new microphone technology and placement, and an auto-dimming and night mode to help reduce eye strain when driving at night or in tunnels.
Finally, the new Uconnect system takes autonomous driving initiatives into consideration for future products with the addition of a telematics box module (TBM). The TBM is said to assist in quickly moving large amounts of data; it is engineered for the fastest speeds available and provides an optimal environment for continuous improvement through a built-in cellular network.
