FCA Collaborates with HARMAN and Google Technologies on its New Global Connected Vehicle Ecosystem

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced a partnership with HARMAN, a Samsung company, and Google Technologies to create an ecosystem to boost the user experience of FCA vehicle owners. The Uconnect system, a cloud-based platform from HARMAN and powered by Android, will enhance connectivity and provide a complete array of integrated services for FCA car owners.

The ecosystem will not only provide the users with an intuitive app-based environment but will also enhance the connectivity among the connected vehicles. It is designed to equip the electrified vehicles with optimum features and mobility services. The off-board system will manage the in-vehicle and supplementary data with HARMAN Ignite cloud-based platform, delivering augmented user services to assist FCA car owners with maintenance prompts, traffic prompts, locating the charging and refueling stations, restaurant offers, and giving customer-care aid. The cloud platform also enables the vehicles to download over-the-air (OTA) updates, providing the customers with enhanced capabilities and latest software applications.

The global platform will be designed to integrate with any service provider in the world and support both 4G as well as 5G network connectivity. The off-board system on FCA vehicles will facilitate communication with smart city infrastructure and household devices through Samsung’s Smart Things platform. Vehicles owners are not the only ones who stand to benefit from the features offered by the new ecosystem; the cloud-based technology will also aid dealers, fleet operators, and service providers around the world.

The on-board system of the global platform powered by Android is capable of delivering a stable, intuitive app-based environment designed to provide updated content through OTA updates, fast connectivity, and smooth wireless integration with mobile devices. The system will offer innovation and automatic upgrades through a built-in cellular network.

The connected ecosystem will provide an ideal technical environment for FCA electrified vehicles. It will host applications such as remote battery management, smart EV trip navigator, and vehicle-to-grid services. It will also assist the FCA mobility service, along with features such as usage-based vehicle insurance, pay-by-the-mile options, short, medium, and long-term vehicle rental, and peer-to-peer car sharing solutions.

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