What's New for 2023: Uconnect

September 1, 2022 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  The Uconnect experience is expanding its functionality outside of the vehicle itself. Uconnect 5 is more connected, helpful, content rich and adds greater personalization, making it the most advanced Uconnect system ever. With future growth in mind, the advanced Uconnect 5 architecture is now scalable across all brands and preps for the integration of advanced technology. Additionally, Uconnect 5’s Android operating system lays a foundation, bringing access to a broad catalog of applications to answer the rapidly developing demand for an improved user experience (UX).

Personalization
Personalization is one of the attractive features related to consumer products and the Android operating system has created a nearly infinite landscape of opportunity.
Desirable for both novice and experts alike, Uconnect 5 features 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 is simple and can be handled by a single touch. Additionally, the profiles are transferable to other enabled vehicles, giving users the ability to return all personal settings with the touch of a button.

User Experience (UX)
UX is a significant reason for purchase and Uconnect 5 responds by providing an easy-to-use, intuitive and personalized experience for every customer. The UX design team worked hand in hand with the interior and color and material design teams to seamlessly integrate the new technology into each vehicle and make appropriate use of the three available screen styles – portrait, square and landscape.

To integrate screens inside the vehicle, UX designers created detailed backdrops to match interior colors and themes. Screen graphics are specific to brand and even vehicle trim level. Surface integration also plays a role and coordinates with the surrounding interior materials. Care is taken with screen edges, location, angle and depth for proper viewing.

Uconnect 5 allows users to create an exclusive home screen with a familiar feel. Similar to specific icon placement on a mobile phone or computer, customers can personalize the Uconnect home screen with frequently used features for quick and easy access, featuring one-touch operation.

Uconnect 5 introduces a card-based format that allows display screens to be personalized, simplified and grouped by individual needs and interests while delivering a cleaner, fresher look. With multiple cards, the user can access the available features and determine how and where they are displayed. Once inside a card, information and icons can be accessed in no more than two button pushes.

Additionally, an available passenger screen provides the front passenger with dynamic touchscreen control at their fingertips. The passenger screen has four major functions: co-pilot (navigation, device management), entertainment (via HDMI or Rear Seat Entertainment control), Fire TV for Auto and the ability to view the exterior vehicle cameras. Passenger screens in both the front and rear feature an HDMI plug, which lets occupants connect their phones or tablets, turning the touchscreen into a mirrored extension of their devices, allowing internet searches, music and app use to project through the Uconnect 5 system.

When equipped with front passenger display, Relax Mode is available while the vehicle is in park and offers occupants an immersive experience by combining dramatic, multi-screen visuals with ambient lighting across the entire cockpit. There are five videos to choose from and each is inspired by natural wonders or phenomenon.
 
Powerful
The Uconnect performance upgrade starts with hardware. The 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 in-vehicle electronics communication.

In combination with an upgraded 50K MIP chip, 6GB of RAM and up to 64GB of flash memory, Uconnect 5 delivers five-times-faster operating speeds when compared to the previous generation. Faster processing speeds, an advanced electrical architecture and more memory give Uconnect its lightning-quick response to touchscreen input.

Additional outputs enable up to four displays in the vehicle. Screens are available in a variety of aspect ratios – standard, landscape and portrait – offering more flexibility in packaging and design across all brands. With up to 15 million pixels in ultra HD, screens can work separately or in harmony, depending on user preference and purpose. Uconnect 5 also represents the most screen area ever offered at up to 12.3 inches.

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 vehicle to easily interact with Alexa.

Fire TV Built-in
Passengers can now enjoy the first Fire TV for Auto integration, featuring touchscreen displays, Alexa and access to hundreds of thousands of movies, TV shows and apps. Passengers can watch their favorite shows independently while listening through headphones, or the whole family can tune-in through the vehicle's audio system. With built-in Fire TV for Auto, parents also have access to Amazon Kids+ for a worry-free experience that ensures younger passengers enjoy age-appropriate content.
 
A Fire TV for Auto-specific remote works on all screens to provide control of the experience and includes push-to-talk access to Alexa, making it easy to find and quickly play shows. The remote includes a button that connects Fire TV for Auto with the new Uconnect 5 system for control of vehicle features, such as climate, maps and more.

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 currently available on more than 80% of North America applications. Uconnect 5 brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to 100% of North America offerings. The feature also adds wireless connectivity, allowing customers to wirelessly project phone apps quick and easy, while leaving phones securely stowed.

Voice Recognition
Uconnect 5 adds exclusive features to the overall system and select features to specific vehicles for the first time with voice recognition 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 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 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.

Dual-phone Connectivity
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 5’s 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 & Travel Services, giving drivers the latest information for a smooth journey. Similar to personal devices, One-Box-Search makes it easy and intuitive to find a destination (search by voice or text). Guidance is enhanced with the best possible routing, the ability to add a destination along your route and an ETA that offers alternative routes and their time extensions.

Maps-Over-The-Air (MOTA) and Last Mile Navigation also are new to Uconnect. MOTA enables a user to easily update the map on the navigation system. Last Mile Navigation provides walking directions back to your vehicle via the Uconnect smartphone app. Dynamic range mapping allows owners to see every detail, adding more depth and detail to the map. Also, Moving 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.

The built-in navigation links vehicle systems to the route, accomplishing what phone navigation systems cannot. For example, the Low-fuel Assistant predicts fuel required for a set journey and makes suggestions for refueling, with a comparison of fuel costs. A warning appears on-screen, prompting the user to choose a station. Search results dictate whether a station is out of range.

By 2025, the company will offer one electrified version for every newly launched global model, so finding charging stations is now integrated with the maps.

SiriusXM With 360L
We were the first in the industry to offer SiriusXM with 360L and the only automaker that provides owners with a six-month trial of the next-generation audio listening experience. The six-month trial of SiriusXM with 360L includes Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora along with thousands of hours of downloadable content, including live sports, free on-demand shows, performances and interviews.

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. The feature gives 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, 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 dealerships, all while in the vehicle without having to reach for a physical credit card.

Wi-Fi
4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is improved with a faster operating system. Five-times-faster processing speeds 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 with vehicle purchase.

Uconnect Mobile App
Uconnect’s history began with phone integration and has continued 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. 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 the Family Drive Alerts feature 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.

Eyes on the Road
Uconnect features additional elements to reduce distracted driving. Voice control is improved with new microphone technology and placement. Upgraded software identifies more tone variation and recognizes commands versus background noise, such as wind noise from a window rolled down at speed. Auto dimming and strategic use of warning signals and graphic displays have been tested in real-world driving conditions to cover a wide range of responses from individual drivers. For example, there are redundant audio and visual warnings for an automatic emergency braking event. Auto-dimming and night mode on the screen help reduce eye strain when driving in the dark or in tunnels, with independent settings for each screen. For users who prefer touchscreen controls, redundant HVAC, comfort and radio operations within the touchscreen are improved for ease of use and response time.

Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) Updates
Servicing and updating your 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.

Uconnect’s Android operating system brings access to a broad catalog of connected features and the adaptability preps the platform for future growth. In planning for additional automated technology, the Uconnect system takes autonomous driving initiatives into consideration for future products with the addition of a Telematics Box Module (TBM). The TBM assists in quickly moving large amounts of data, engineered for the fastest speeds available. The trusted and secure ecosystem provides an optimal environment for continuous improvement through a built-in cellular network.