Panasonic Automotive Partners with Technology and Automotive Giants to Transform In-Vehicle User Experience

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, today announced it had aligned with leading user experience software companies and automotive manufacturer, FCA, to debut groundbreaking infotainment systems that transform the consumer experience, both inside and outside of the vehicle.

Panasonic Automotive also announced a collaboration with IBM to develop an eCommerce infotainment system powered with Watson. The Panasonic Cognitive Infotainment platform displays a first-look concept with the capability of transacting via the automotive infotainment system while in transit. As featured under this suite of technologies within the Chrysler Virtual Experience Concept, Panasonic Automotive and IBM collaborated to enable natural language voice interaction to enhance mobility services. With Watson, Panasonic Automotive will showcase a next-generation automotive eCommerce transaction with a quick service restaurant, enabling consumers to place a meal order by, for example, voice while on the road and have that meal paid and timed for more exacting delivery.

In addition, Panasonic Automotive and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, have collaborated to help automakers accelerate the rate of innovation in their vehicles by creating a next-generation in-vehicle infotainment system powered by Android. This system concept features the Panasonic Automotive passenger application, which addresses the challenges that passengers have when entering navigation destinations or controlling music. Car manufacturers, automotive suppliers and developers can create Android-powered infotainment solutions initially with Qualcomm Technologies' Automotive Development Platforms , which utilizes Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ automotive system-on-chips, followed by production systems developed and manufactured by Panasonic Automotive. The two companies have integrated state-of-the-art Android 7.0 features to give drivers a unified experience across an automaker's entire vehicle lineup, easily adjusting for different applications, screen sizes and resolutions while providing a cost-saving measure that will allow OEMs to seamlessly customize the infotainment system across lineups.

Panasonic Automotive, in collaboration with the FCA User Experience team, developed the Chrysler Portal Concept for future autonomous vehicles and is the new supplier partner for the recently launched Fourth Generation 8.4 Touchscreen UConnect infotainment system. The Portal Concept is a next-generation system that includes more than 20 user-centric technologies designed to engage, inform and connect to create the utmost affordable, adaptable and, most importantly, the most upgradeable experience.

Currently equipped with Level Three autonomous capability, drivers will be able to upgrade in-vehicle systems as technologies continue to advance. The concept includes seamless levels of personalization including facial recognition, voice biometrics, and personal device integration through the Chrysler Portal Companion App. From any location, this app enables drivers to customize vehicle lighting, control vehicle and home settings, lock/unlock doors, and much more.

"Bringing together some of the foremost industry leaders in crafting user experiences has allowed us to raise the bar for both consumer and manufacturer expectations of HMI technology," said Tom Gebhardt, President, Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America. "For our 50^th year at CES, we wanted to make a statement to show our level of commitment in elevating in-vehicle mobility technology, as evidenced by these latest collaborations." 

This next-generation technology will be on display in the new Chrysler Portal Virtual Concept experience at the Panasonic booth during CES 2017.

About Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America is a division company of Panasonic Corporation of North America and is the top supplier of automotive infotainment systems globally, according to IHS. Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America acts as the North American operating company of Panasonic Corp.'s Automotive & Industrial Systems Company, which coordinates global automotive and industrial systems and components operations. Panasonic Automotive is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, with sales, marketing and engineering operations in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information on Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, please visit: us.panasonic.com/automotive.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic was featured in Fortune Magazine's 2016 ranking of 50 companies that are changing the world and doing well by doing good.  Specifically cited were its smart and sustainable technologies, including its contributions to smart cities and the electric vehicle revolution.  Learn more about Panasonic at us.panasonic.com/news.

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SOURCE Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America

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