TMCnews Featured Article

Some companies are industry leaders by way of market share or brand recognition. Other companies are leaders in innovation and responsibility. And, while one might not initially see Chrysler and Sprint (News - Alert) as similar companies, the fact of the matter is, both the car manufacturer and the embedded M2M solutions provider are companies that are unconventional innovators. So it’s only natural that the two would form partnership to enable UCONNECT, a series of connected solution in upcoming Chrysler vehicles.

Marios Zenios, head of Uconnect systems and services at Chrysler stated in a conference call that the partnership with Sprint was a natural fit. Chrysler was looking for a partner to enable communication, entertainment, navigation and telematics applications in their vehicles, and Sprint’s capabilities in the M2M space – as well as its expertise in the smartphone arena – made it the perfect partner.

The challenge, said Zenios, was to ensure that UCONNECT was reliable and consistent, and enhanced responsible driving while these experiences were in use. Sprint came on board as a system integrator, handling the data that must be communicated, working seamlessly with onboard systems like smart radios and other vehicle systems to enable entertainment, navigation and telematics. Sprint’s expertise in M2M, customer experience and smart devices has helped Chrysler get the best possible results, all the while keeping responsible usage in mind.

Speaking for Sprint, Matt Carter, president of global wholesale and emerging solutions for Sprint, also emphasized the trusted partnership between these two companies. Citing similarities in both culture and strategic approach, Cater emphasized that both companies see the car as a connected experience for customers. Sprint has the competency and capabilities to participate in the space helping Chrysler and its customers get all they can out of the connected solutions while enabling responsible driving.

This fall, the UCONNECT Access will debut on the 2013 Ram 1500 and the 2013 SRT Viper. UCONNECT will help provide more performance, more ways to connect and more access. It will allow drivers to stay focused on the road while helping them keep in touch with their favorite information. UCONNECT will put drivers in touch with first responders or roadside assistance at the push of a button. New navigation systems will be enhanced by 3-D graphics and voice destination entry capabilities. In addition, UCONNECT turns the vehicle into a Wi-Fi hotspot and can turn a smartphone into a remote device capable of locking and unlocking or even starting the car.

In the end, the car is merely another device, so Sprint and Chrysler want to extend what they know about devices and customer experiences. Both companies see this as a great marriage between two companies and two industries. Eventually, they hope to extend this philosophy to all things on wheels, a natural extension of what Sprint does every day, but with the added benefit of adding connectivity while ensuring driver responsibility. Together, these two companies can remake the driving experience for all, with innovation made simple.

To find out more about SPRINT, visit the company at ITEXPO West 2012. To be held Oct. 2-5 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX, ITEXPO is the world’s largest technology and communications event. Visit SPRINT in booth #1119. For more information on ITEXPO West 2012, click here.