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Jeep testing tech that warns drivers of dangers they can't see

In-car messages warn Stellantis vehicle drivers of incoming dangers or approaching emergency vehicles

Coleman Molnar
Sep 21, 2021  •  September 21, 2021  •  1 minute read  •  Join the conversation
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe Photo by Renita Naraine

Stellantis has announced a pilot program that will test a number of new safety alert systems to deliver warning messages to in-car screens. 

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The Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) and Safety Cloud technologies, as they’ve been dubbed, are an advanced warning system that uses cellular 5G connectivity along with “localized systems” such as on-site intersection cameras to collect a variety of data, locally process it, and “communicate safety risks to on-site pedestrians and approaching vehicles.” 

“Greater connectivity speeds, improved hardware and expanded software expertise have opened new opportunities for Stellantis with safety systems being one of the many areas we focus on,” said Mamatha Chamarthi, Head of Software Business and Product Management. “Through smart and strategic partnerships, we will capitalize on next-generation systems and prove out the technology.”

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The program will test how such a system of in-car alerts impacts driver and pedestrian safety, seeking potential improvements in traffic and emergency responsiveness. Testing is to begin at the University of Michigan’s Mcity Test Facility, where researchers will run the program on a pair of 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe PHEVs using Uconnect. 

A second branch of the system will also include advanced warnings that send notifications to partner vehicles when emergency responders are nearby. Stellantis says it plans to work with the local department of transportation to expand the program into the Detroit area and run tests on 2018 model-year and newer Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram vehicles with Uconnect. 

The world’s sixth-largest automaker plans to start folding MEC platform technology into its products across North America within the decade. 

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