AUBURN HILLS – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. announced that it will use technology from Harman International Industries Inc., a Stamford, Conn.-based subsidiary of South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, and Google, to power a new “ecosystem” that will enhance the connected life of FCA vehicle owners globally.
Harman manufactures connected products for automakers, consumers and enterprises, including connected car systems; audio and visual products, automation; and connected services.
FCA officials said the system will promptly and securely manage in-vehicle and additional data using an architecture based on the Harman Ignite cloud-based platform. The system will deliver an enhanced user experience that will assist owners by predicting maintenance needs, locating fuel and charging stations, receiving traffic prompts and restaurant offers, and providing live customer-care assistance. Vehicles can also receive over-the-air (OTA) software updates, ensuring owners benefit from new capabilities and the latest software applications.
The Android-powered platform will offer owners 4G network connectivity and support the evolution to 5G, is adaptible for all regions, and will integrate with any service provider around the world. The off-board system also has the capability to interact with future smart cities’ infrastructure, as well as household devices via Samsung’s “Smart Things” platform. It’s intended for both personal vehicles and fleets.
The system will also handle electric vehicle management, with applications such as remote battery management, smart EV trip navigator and vehicle-to-grid services. It will also support the FCA Mobility Services portfolio, including features such as pay-by-the-mile options, usage-based vehicle insurance, short-, medium- and long-term vehicle rental and peer-to-peer car sharing solutions, such as the U-Go system, recently launched by Leasys in Europe.
The key components of the system will start to rollout in phases across global regions during the second half of 2019 and all new FCA vehicles will be connected by 2022.
More at www.fcagroup.com or http://www.fcanorthamerica.com.
