South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia have entered into a partnership with Samsung to leverage the “SmartThings” Internet of Things (IoT) platform for their connected car services. This collaboration aims to streamline the user experience for electric vehicle (EV) owners, offering greater convenience in managing both vehicle and home-related functions.
As part of the agreement, Hyundai and Kia customers will have the ability to remotely control digital home appliances through their vehicle’s in-car infotainment system. The integration will enable users to control various vehicle functions using artificial intelligence (AI) speakers, televisions, and mobile applications.
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The connected services will allow users to activate “Home Mode” during their commute, enabling them to turn on air conditioning, start a vacuum, and control home lighting. Conversely, “Away Mode” can be activated when leaving, turning off lights and pre-activating the vehicle’s air conditioning system.
For EV owners, the partnership introduces the SmartThings integrated home energy management service. This service enables users to monitor both their vehicle and home energy consumption, offering the flexibility to adjust charging times for optimal energy rates.
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Hyundai and Kia plan to implement updates to their infotainment systems, introducing new features through over-the-air (OTA) updates. Additionally, USB updates will be made available for existing vehicles to enhance connectivity and functionality.
Haeyoung Kwon, Vice President of Hyundai and Kia’s Infotainment Development Center, expressed the companies’ commitment to continuous technological development to enhance the journeys of global customers. The collaboration with Samsung is expected to facilitate overseas expansion, supporting a broader range of connected devices.
