Consumer surveys show that car buyers would like to control their garage door openers through vehicle infotainment screens prior to arriving at their driveways, rather than waiting for the garage to open with existing line-of-sight technology.
Japanese automaker Mitsubishi and Chamberlain Group are partnering to make Chamberlain's myQ Connected Garage a feature of the My Mitsubishi Connect platform that can be operated via the 8-inch display screen on the freshened 2022 Eclipse Cross crossover. The vehicle goes on sale in the first quarter.
Customers who don't have a myQ smart garage door opener can purchase a hub that works with their existing garage door openers, the two companies said in a press release Monday at the start of CES.
"Consumers have indicated that controlling their garage door through the infotainment system is one of the most highly desired in-dash features," said Bryan Arnett, director of digital product strategy at Mitsubishi Motors R&D Americas. "Partnering with Chamberlain Group will enable us to scale this service across our Mitsubishi lineup as well as build on its functionality to create rich, intelligent and predictive user experiences with regards to access control."
Although the technology will debut on the refreshed Eclipse Cross via the smartphone-link display, the remote opener will also work through the My Mitsubishi Connect app for 2018-2020 Eclipse Cross owners, the companies said in the statement.
"Available through Android Auto, Eclipse Cross drivers with the My Mitsubishi Connect app and a myQ connected garage door opener can seamlessly transition garage control to their in-vehicle touch screen. Additional in-dash garage control features will become available later in the year through both Android Auto and the addition of Apple CarPlay," the companies said.
