The Covid-19 pandemic has moved the 2021 edition of the annual CES Show into the virtual world, and the automotive industry has responded quickly to participate in the online event. For example, Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has produced a virtual exhibit to present its latest mobility offerings during CES 2021, which opened today.
Leading the batch of new products presented at CES 2021 is the latest version of FCA’s Uconnect infotainment system, Uconnect 5, which the automaker calls the most advanced Uconnect system ever produced.
Designed for ease of use, the Google Android-based Uconnect 5 offers new levels of personalization in the form of several fully customizable interfaces and is capable of storing up to five different user profiles. Individual preferences for music, vehicle operation, climate control, seating position, and mirror placement are all included in each profile.
Uconnect hardware upgrades—including an upgraded 50 K MIPS (million instructions per second) chip, 6 GB of RAM, and up to 64 GB of flash memory—have resulted in increased processing power, reaction speed, and memory. FCA’s new Atlantis architecture replaces Powernet as its core in-vehicle electronics communication system.
Expanded Amazon Alexa home-to-car capability is built into Uconnect 5, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. TomTom navigation and MOTA (maps over-the-air), SiriusXM 360L, new personalized stations powered by Pandora, firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates, and a 12.3-inch ultra HD screen—FCA’s largest-ever—are all features of Uconnect 5.
With an eye toward an ever-growing list of user demands and applications, FCA says the Uconnect 5 architecture is now scalable across all FCA brands.
To provide online visitors a more comprehensive CES experience, FCA has curated its virtual exhibit with many sights and sounds one would typically find in a traditional CES or auto show exhibit, including interactive tours of the FCA vehicle lineup.
CES 2021 attendees can take guided 3D tours of 12 FCA vehicles, hosted by a virtual brand ambassador, who provides customized information based on user input and preferences. Self-guided tours are also available, complete with a variety of vehicle views and in-depth product information.
FCA’s virtual exhibit for CES 2021 also includes an augmented reality (AR) preview of the new Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the plug-in hybrid version of Jeep’s iconic off-roader. Created in conjunction with Google and designed for mobile devices, the AR experience enables CES virtual attendees to interact with a 3D model of the Jeep, change the vehicle’s colors, examine details of the interior, and produce images of the Wrangler 4xe in a physical space, such as a driveway.
FCA says its interactive site will remain live after CES 2021 to help consumers learn more about FCA products at fcaces2021.com.
Gary Mason contributed this article to Futurride. He’s a storyteller and communications professional with more than 10 years of experience in the automotive industry. During his career, Gary has represented such companies as Honda, ZF, Federal-Mogul, MTU, and General Motors, as well as several automotive steel producers. A content creator, Gary is always looking for great stories to tell. Contact Gary at gmasonPR@gmail.com.
