FCA Previews Next-Gen Uconnect 5

[JAY]

Admin edit: FCA has yet to announce exactly when and on which models Uconnect 5 will first launch, but it should start rolling out later this year, and we hope to see it in the Jeep JL Wrangler soon!


FCA’s All-new Uconnect 5 Global Platform Is the Most Advanced Uconnect System Ever: Powerful, Personalized, Connected and Easy to Use

• Uconnect 5 builds upon a well-established, intuitive user experience (UX) and third-party recognition with Android’s automotive operating system and processing speeds that are five times faster
• Uconnect pioneers personalization with up to five user profiles plus valet mode, reestablishing vehicle preferences and settings with the touch of a button
• Exclusive and customizable home screen allows quick access to frequently used features with one-touch operation
• Uconnect expands Alexa "Home to Car" functionality to include in-vehicle Alexa virtual assistant with natural voice capability and “Car to Home” features
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto make connecting and sharing easy
• New TomTom navigation experience adds popular features for a built-in solution with natural voice capability and Maps Over The Air (MOTA)
• SiriusXM’s 360L and new Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora available
• Simultaneous dual-phone connectivity allows greater flexibility with passengers
• Seamless integration of technology within the vehicle interior combines with card-based screens to provide an updated and refreshed look and feel
• Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) seamlessly loads improved software updates to the vehicle
• Improvements in Uconnect system software, strategy and hardware reduce distracted driving
• Most screen area ever offered in an FCA product at 12.3 inches supports up to 15 million pixels in Ultra HD
• New Uconnect system features global capability for vehicle owners in more than 150 countries

January 27, 2020 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Uconnect experience is expanding its functionality outside of the vehicle itself. The all-new 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 FCA 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, the all-new 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.

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.

The all-new 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 new, 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.

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 FCA core in-vehicle electronics communication. In combination with an upgraded 50K MIP chip, 6GB of RAM and up to 64GB of flash memory, the all-new Uconnect 5 delivers operating speeds that are five times faster when compared to the previous generation. Faster processing speeds, an advanced electrical architecture and more memory give the all-new 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 FCA brands. With up to 15 million 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 12.3 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 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 currently 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.

Voice Recognition
The all-new 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 only 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.

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 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) or battery-electric vehicles (BEV), creating the 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.

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 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, 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.

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 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 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.

Eyes on the Road
The all-new 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 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.

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 all-new 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.

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[mojocho]

Nice! Wireless Android Auto. THat alone is pretty great feature. Maybe we could upgrade the 8.4 in our current JT with it.

 

[mr_bots]

Nice! Wireless Android Auto. THat alone is pretty great feature. Maybe we could upgrade the 8.4 in our current JT with it.

I wouldn't hold your breath as it's not just a software update. It's all new hardware as well.

 

[BAT]

Nice! Wireless Android Auto. THat alone is pretty great feature. Maybe we could upgrade the 8.4 in our current JT with it.

Don't think it would work in the Jeep Truck unless they redo the entire dash area as it seems to imply that its for the 12 inch screens seen in the upper end Truck models, etc. Wonder if they are shooting for like what I saw at the car show recently like the Tesla, etc where they had replaced all the dials, buttons, etc and the only thing was a big screen. Everything was done by touch screen or voice command. If it glitches you have no control over your stuff like you would with knobs, dials and buttons

 

[Jeefo]

Don't think it would work in the Jeep Truck unless they redo the entire dash area as it seems to imply that its for the 12 inch screens seen in the upper end Truck models, etc. Wonder if they are shooting for like what I saw at the car show recently like the Tesla, etc where they had replaced all the dials, buttons, etc and the only thing was a big screen. Everything was done by touch screen or voice command. If it glitches you have no control over your stuff like you would with knobs, dials and buttons

Yeah, that's a bummer. I just placed an order with my dealer this past Friday, 1/24. With the admin's edit that they hope to see it in the JL Wrangler later this year, sounds like it might be in the 2021 model year of the Gladiator as well though. I was initially thinking they wouldn't put it in the Gladiator since it'd be time and money for them to update their assembly lines and having to change the wiring behind the dash, etc. And since the high end Rams have the 12.3" screen, that's obviously not already on this new Uconnect 5. Lots of their screenshots seem to be smaller size also, so could work on the 8.4"

Having Android Auto will already be an upgrade for me (coming from a 2013 Dodge Dart Limited), but with all the issues I had with the Dart's first model year, I definitely questioned if I should wait on the 2nd model year of the JT as well. I was hoping the '21 year wouldn't have any changes besides for offering the diesel and perhaps some 80th anniversary package, but this technology update is a pretty big deal.
Wireless Android Auto would be pretty amazing, the much faster UI, having two phones connected to the Bluetooth at once, and saved profiles would be pretty sweet. Since the current JT already doesn't have lane-keep assist technology, I wasn't thinking they'd be updating with any additional safety/tech, but looks like I may be wrong.

Either way, I'm sure I'll have a big smile on my face when I get my JT hopefully in March. Now, if I should have waited til this Fall for 2021 year, we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Oscar Indy]

Very skeptical of any of these OTA updates they claim. Be nice for OTA map updates but we can't even get the marketplace to work in the current gen. Sounds like lots of bloat ware.

 

[Jeefo]

Very skeptical of any of these OTA updates they claim. Be nice for OTA map updates but we can't even get the marketplace to work in the current gen. Sounds like lots of bloat ware.

I don't even care about the UConnect maps since Android Auto/Apple Carplay is always updated and has better interface. The faster responsiveness of the interface and wireless Android/Apple auto/carplay is the stuff i'm more interested in.

 

[BAT]

I don't even care about the UConnect maps since Android Auto/Apple Carplay is always updated and has better interface. The faster responsiveness of the interface and wireless Android/Apple auto/carplay is the stuff i'm more interested in.

I just need something like the 7 inch screen with Apply/Android where I can plug in my phone and pull up Waze, etc. I have the 8.4 in my current ram

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Good luck on the OTA stuff since it relies on WIRELESS - meaning CELLULAR connectivity and I've seen how well that WORKS - NOT.
There's a lot of the country, regardless of how hard people want to argue about how great their coverage is, that's NOT covered with cell data, let alone reliable cell data. In this state alone we've had trouble with offices not being able to connect data-wise in entire regions.
There are parts of the country where this won't work if it indeed relies on cell data. (obviously, Alaska among them, but I mean in the lower states as well)
It was an area where I had a lot of interest for years and this country is way behind on broadband, including cellular data, when compared to much of the rest of the developed world. This is scary as it will once again bring a great divide where those who have good cell services will argue that we are imagining things, it's not that bad, and AT&T coverage is great (because it is in their area)

I took off yesterday with the APPS screen on - and 3/4 of the apps weren't even there for several minutes and when they finally appeared, it took more minutes to get the off-road pages to load! Good grief, some of that should be there at all times because it's the local info like oil pressure, voltage, engine temp, oil temp - why do I have to wait for a connection to get my gauges?
Any other vehicle the engine stats are there all the time. I don't have to wait for them to download.

We see what they are doing - concentrating on entertainment, phone, music - not driving or business.
And FCA - please drop the cloud-based apps - make it LOCAL. When I have to wait for a connection for stuff to load that should be installed locally, it's crazy.

 

[shrinkhead]

wireless carplay and android auto are definitely sweet. I like the current navigation system as backup for waze but the system is a bit slow to start as others mentioned and it would be nice to have spotify and other stuff as a native app. speaking of gauges. any gauge packs available to mount on the dash? I like gauges.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

speaking of gauges. any gauge packs available to mount on the dash? I like gauges.

IMO, modern cars contribute to the problem of distracted driving and inattention to the condition of the vehicle and the situational awareness of the driver by concentrating on entertainment and not driving the machine.
I'd rather have more gauges, myself.
One of my disappointments was the huge concentration on play and music, less on the situation and vehicle. I MISS MY GAUGES.
I actually have to choose an optional page and wait from 2, 3, or even 4 minutes for the gauges to come up - worse, I must manually load them each time as it defaults back to the apps page - and the off-road app doesn't appear for a couple of minutes. That means I'm on the road, paying attention to the center screen, waiting for the apps to come up, then choosing off-road pages, then waiting for THAT to load, then choosing the gauges?
That's dumb. There should be a default I can choose.
When I start that vehicle, it should default to the page I left it at, or, let me choose a default screen. Instead it defaults to other stuff.
Since my wife's grand cherokees, I've always hated that any time you get into the things you have music blaring at you. Why does it think when I first get in I want to hear my wife's country stuff at full volume?
Naw, come on FCA - you have other things to fix before you go about adding more fun and games.
If I want music when I get in - I'lll choose music and turn it on.
I want the gauges to appear each time by default.
Why when gauges display something local does it have to rely on the cloud to load and then finally, minutes later, display local information?
Maybe being over 40 these days is a sin - maybe everyone else wants to get in and have their tunes blaring full blast as quick as they open the door after a remote start - I don't. If I have it muted from the day before - LEAVE IT MUTED - don't unmute it with each start or remote start.

IMO, this upgrade posted about here isn't an upgrade - not really. An upgrade would fix what's wrong, not simply build on it.

 

[shrinkhead]

IMO, modern cars contribute to the problem of distracted driving and inattention to the condition of the vehicle and the situational awareness of the driver by concentrating on entertainment and not driving the machine.
I'd rather have more gauges, myself.
One of my disappointments was the huge concentration on play and music, less on the situation and vehicle. I MISS MY GAUGES.
I actually have to choose an optional page and wait from 2, 3, or even 4 minutes for the gauges to come up - worse, I must manually load them each time as it defaults back to the apps page - and the off-road app doesn't appear for a couple of minutes. That means I'm on the road, paying attention to the center screen, waiting for the apps to come up, then choosing off-road pages, then waiting for THAT to load, then choosing the gauges?
That's dumb. There should be a default I can choose.
When I start that vehicle, it should default to the page I left it at, or, let me choose a default screen. Instead it defaults to other stuff.
Since my wife's grand cherokees, I've always hated that any time you get into the things you have music blaring at you. Why does it think when I first get in I want to hear my wife's country stuff at full volume?
Naw, come on FCA - you have other things to fix before you go about adding more fun and games.
If I want music when I get in - I'lll choose music and turn it on.
I want the gauges to appear each time by default.
Why when gauges display something local does it have to rely on the cloud to load and then finally, minutes later, display local information?
Maybe being over 40 these days is a sin - maybe everyone else wants to get in and have their tunes blaring full blast as quick as they open the door after a remote start - I don't. If I have it muted from the day before - LEAVE IT MUTED - don't unmute it with each start or remote start.

IMO, this upgrade posted about here isn't an upgrade - not really. An upgrade would fix what's wrong, not simply build on it.

Agree, I added 7 extra gauges to my Mustang. 4 analog ones and 3 digital displayed on the phone. I am going to Google Jeep gauges now...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Agree, I added 7 extra gauges to my Mustang. 4 analog ones and 3 digital displayed on the phone. I am going to Google Jeep gauges now...

The volt meter should not be an optional gauge you have to manually load each time and display off to the side, for example. That is one thing I'd prefer they fix before adding more MUSIC and phones and cloud app stuff.
I want to know what I'm driving first, entertainment is later.
So gauges should be front and center, or at least allow to be chosen as a default and not take several minutes to manually load each time.
I don't get the extreme concentration on getting more music in.
Fix the apps, fix the displays, give us local information, don't force us to load things from the cloud that's local to the vehicle.
Fix the load speed. Fix the fact that at times the apps aren't event here for a while. Allow us to choose default displays. Allow us to put the tunes on mute and prevent the Jeep from unmuting it every time you open the door (if I do a remote start, then unlock and open the door - guess what, MUSIC starts playing - ugh, not while I'm getting in and settling in - I have to hit the mute button again. Then each time I get in the thing and start it I never know if it's going to start music again or not. Can't we disable that?
Fix that sort of stuff first, please. Then I'll look for so-called "upgrades". Fixing these things is the upgrade I want.
My chevy put the gauges in my view - not off to the side. Gauges are why I put an AMX cluster in my 73 Jav - I wanted gauges. I have the rally gauges in my SX4 - because I want oil pressure, voltage, and other info available.
This is a working truck so such info should be there. Temperatures of oil and transmission are critical when towing. It shouldn't be work to get them displayed each time. That's the upgrade I want. Not more ways to connect to more music.

 

[steffen707]

boo, i used a tomtom before, it sucked......that was 10 years ago though, lol.

wonder how much a new headunit would cost.............$4900? And only available to LE owners

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

So being as this is an off road capable truck, why not have apps like iOverlander, and gaia and the like? Wouldn't it be great if you are camping and need to find points of interest or campsites or off road directions to just have them on the screen? If they won't work on Uconnect can you at lease enable android auto to display them? Please feel free to tell me if i'm way off base here.

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