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Chrysler Announces First Wireless Charging Equipped Vehicles – Makes Debut In 2013 Dodge Dart

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Everybody likes to claim “firsties.” And today, Chrysler hopes to claim that title with their “industry first,” in-vehicle wireless charging system for the 2013 Dodge Dart. The wireless charging system will come as an available option and carry a cost of $200 plus installation. After installation, the system will be found inside the center console where a user can simply toss their compatible device in, start their car up, and begin charging. Just set it, and forget it.

Of course, you will need a phone with these capabilities either built in (super rare) or with some sort of 3rd party solution to take advantage of wireless charging. Still, with rumors that the Samsung Galaxy S III’s “killer feature” could be wireless charging, maybe we’ll start seeing this become more of a trend in the coming months. Full press release can be found below.

Chrysler Group LLC Introduces Industry-first In-vehicle Wireless Charging

Charges iPhone, Blackberry, MP3 Players and Droid-based devices
New Mopar® Feature First Available on All-new 2013 Dodge Dart

April 9, 2012 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Look mom, no wires.

After being the first to eliminate heavy, bulky owner manuals from its vehicles, Chrysler Group LLC, through its Mopar® division, will now be the first to eliminate unsightly dangling power cords in its vehicles by offering in-vehicle wireless charging.

The company will first make the technology available on the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart that arrives in dealerships in the second quarter of this year.

“At Mopar, we look for every single opportunity to make our customers’ lives easier,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Our industry-first in-vehicle wireless charging system is the perfect solution for those connected customers who are always on the go.”

For easy access, a seamlessly integrated power bin, measuring 8.27 inches by 9.5 inches by 3.25 inches, is installed just below the center stack and in front of the center console. The bin has a built-in charging grid that is activated when customers place in their battery-powered device. The unit begins to charge when the vehicle is started. A phone case, specifically designed for a variety of smartphones, is required and included with the feature.

Mopar in-vehicle wireless charging is available for $199.99, plus installation (part number 82213216).

[BGR]

Chris Chavez
I've been obsessed with consumer technology for about as long as I can remember, be it video games, photography, or mobile devices. If you can plug it in, I have to own it. Preparing for the day when Android finally becomes self-aware and I get to welcome our new robot overlords.

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23 Comments

  1. So it’s happening, then.

  2. i still just don’t see wireless charging being a plus for me util it works at distances of 0-2meters away… until then i’d rather have a cord.

    atleast with a cord i can talk on the phone and hold it in my hands and use the darn thing AS it charges. with “wireless” charging, its more anchored then wired… seems like a step back in my book

    1. How about using a bluetooth?  That would solve your problem of wanting to talk
      on the phone while still charging your device with no wires involved.

      1. Bluetooth is only a data protocol. You can’t transmit power wirelessly unless its by induction. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_charging

        1. Haha I was as confused about it at first as you were, but he means using a bluetooth headset to talk to people while the phone is charging.

          @yahoo-CWHPYGAHZFX3CEP5HE4AHYB3EY:disqus , while that could work, it’d only work for calls. What if you wanted to text or browse the web or something? You’d have to keep it on the mat, completely flat, or pick it up to use it comfortably which would stop the charging process, making the “novelty” moot.

          1. exactly my point, i’m constantly texting even when charging that just doesn’t work for me

          2. shouldnt be texting while driving in the first place so that eliminates that problem

        2. sorry wrong reply

      2. bluetooth ONLY works for calling, i do a lot more than that while chargin… texting, movie watching, surfing the web, playing mobile games, checking emails… all of these are “in-hand” activities which a bluetooth headset or simply letting it lie on the desk to not work for.

        wireless charging may actually work when in cars but i’m talking everyday use normal charging its a novelty that doesn’t work at all for me until i can use the device at a good distance

    2. 2 meters away ?

      Your belt buckle, jewelry, body piercings and fillings might get hot, to say nothing of pacemakers and air bags.

      1. currently yes, in the future, doubtful… thats why it serves no point now-a-days

  3. Please tell me they’re not bringing back the Dart. PLEASE!!

    1.  where have you been when they announced this over a year ago lol.

      So basically its like the charge pad things they have?

      1.  A year ago I was probably praying that they would never bring the Dodge Dart back :)

  4. It’s a start. Not that there’s much new here, if anything. This is a technology that’ll explode in the next few years and offerings like this are small steps

    What phones will actually work with this?

    1. I would assume that Chrysler will either partner with an existing third party (like Power Mat), make a proprietary battery cover, or make deals with certain OEMs to include the technology in their phones. 

      So, it’s hard to say what phones will actually work with the technology. I would assume the best sellers; i.e. iPhone, Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note, HTC One Series, perhaps a few Windows Phones. Time will tell. 

      1. A windows phone is definitely not a best seller and is never worth the effort to support it.

  5. an iPhone with wireless charging….LOL

  6. Is it just me who is worried about the electromagnetic field that this will emit?  they worry about putting schools and houses too close to power lines….this is lower-power, but it will be right next to the user!

    1.  It’s just you.

  7. Just putting a few USB power ports would be easier, cheaper, and usable with more phones, friend’s phones, tablets, mini-speakers (Jambox), battery chargers, electric shavers, etc.

  8. I suppose “Its a Start,” but low end cars are more likely to carry drivers with low end incomes. To me, at least, a low income does not equate with high end phone purchases. Thats the way I grew up. Low-in phones are not yet likely to have internal wireless chargers. I think they would have been better advised to go a bit further upscale.

  9. Not an option I would pay for. My wired charger works just fine thanks.

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