At CES, Chrysler previews cockpit of the future

Chrysler will be the first Stellantis brand in North America to deploy the automaker's next-generation technology in the cockpit.

Stellantis is demonstrating a mock-up of its two-seat Chrysler Synthesis layout during CES in Las Vegas this week. The Synthesis design incorporates several upcoming Stellantis tech platforms, including STLA Smart Cockpit, STLA Brain and STLA AutoDrive. The automaker brands the trio as "Advanced Technology for Real Life."The company says the advanced artificial intelligence technology will be able to adapt and enhance the user interface over time. For example, it will be capable of learning owner preferences.

The system also allows Stellantis to make over-the-air vehicle updates, a function automakers are racing to adapt.

The use of such updates, according to Stellantis, will enable the "quick creation and updating of software features, automatically downloading content and enhancements over the air to keep the vehicle fresh, exciting and capable during each day of ownership."

Chrysler has said the over-the-air approach will break today's bond between hardware and software generations.

The Chrysler Synthesis is shaped by the Harmony in Motion design language that Stellantis says is "contemporary, sustainable and technology focused." The dashboard is sleek and angular, evocative of science fiction display.

"The Chrysler Synthesis shown at CES 2023 represents the future of Chrysler brand design, technology, and customer experience, by introducing customer-centric design and intuitive, seamlessly connected technology for real life," Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell said in a statement.

Chrysler uses CES as a springboard for its future product plans. Last year, it unveiled the electric Airflow crossover concept and announced that the brand would debut its first battery-electric model by 2025, while aiming to go all-electric by 2028.

This year's expo will provide a glimpse into the user experience that Chrysler owners can expect.

The company says STLA AutoDrive, a flexible system that can receive over-the-air updates, delivers Level 3 autonomous driving that allows for "hands off the steering wheel and eyes off the road."

Stellantis said the Synthesis demonstration at CES will illustrate a day in the life of the future Chrysler ownership experience. The company is highlighting several features:

• MyDay: Stellantis says this feature "synthesizes and syncs multiple aspects of the customer experience, including calendars and schedules, vehicle status info such as charge status, home smart tech features, weather updates and more, helping to organize and map out an intelligent trip plan for the day."
• Vehicle Welcome: A virtual personal assistant welcomes the owner based on biometric recognition.
• Productivity: The company says autonomous driving will let motorists multitask and "access a suite of productivity-based activities" such as video conferencing; lunch location recommendations that have convenient parking and charging options; and smart home "wake up" for their return at the end of the day.
• Chill/Zen/Fun modes: This option creates a sensory experience that includes "in-vehicle fun and wellness experiences (meditation, karaoke, DJ game), while the vehicle is stationary or driving autonomously." Stellantis said the demonstrator will feature the Synthesis Music Experience, which allows customers to create and synthesize their own music.