Fiat Chrysler and Google join forces to show off tech advances at CES 2017

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Google have shown off the latest technological advances the two companies have been collaborating on at the Consumer Electronics Show 2017 (CES) in Las Vegas.

They include the Uconnect 8.4-inch connected vehicle system featuring Android, as well as Google’s latest driverless technology.

FCA is in collaboration with Google regarding the next-generation of connected car systems enabled by Android.

“This collaboration with Google has been an extremely beneficial opportunity for both companies to explore how in-vehicle infotainment and connectivity technology continues to evolve, and what it takes to meet consumers’ increasing desire for innovation of information with minimal distraction,” says Chris Barman, head of electrical engineering at FCA.

“With Android, we are able to maintain our unique and intuitive Uconnect user interface, all while integrating our easy-to-use systems with Android’s features and ecosystem of applications.”

CES attendees got one-on-one demonstrations of the Uconnect system, which includes core infotainment features such as radio and comfort controls.

The software will integrate with Google Assistant, Google Maps and popular Android apps like Pandora, Spotify, NPR One and Pocket Casts.

Google’s Waymo unveils self driving system

Additionally, Google has unveiled its latest self-driving system in a Chrysler Pacifica minivan, saying the technology is more reliable and affordable.

The announcement came from John Krafcik, head of Google’s Waymo unit, whose search for partners to develop and install the company’s autonomous driving technology into real cars has so far yielded only an alliance with FCA and a pending deal with Honda.

Krafcik says Waymo’s latest set of self-driving hardware and software incorporates a new array of sensors, including an enhanced vision system, improved radar and laser-based lidar, all developed and built in-house.

So far Waymo has reduced the cost of a single lidar unit by 90%, to about US$7500.

Among major outside suppliers of this technology, Velodyne Lidar and Quanergy Systems both have said they are developing smaller solid-state lidar units that eventually would cost $200 or less.

Waymo’s existing test fleet of self-driving cars, including some specially equipped Lexus RX450s and Google’s own “Firefly” prototypes, has accumulated 4.02 million kms in less than eight years, mostly on city streets.

Waymo plans to test the first self-driving Pacificas this month on public roads in California and Arizona.

There was no confirmation on when the system would be ready to install in production vehicles.