Modern cars are often described as smartphones on wheels, and you cannot blame those who make that comparison.
The inside of cars from modestly priced brands like Toyota and Subaru to posh Mercedes-Benzes feature large touchscreens that control easy-to-use software that can access a vast array of vehicle controls, connect to the internet, and even act as an extension of your smartphone.
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South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia know the importance of tech in their cars.
For instance, Kia’s EV6 can be equipped with “Remote Smart Parking Assist,” which can help drivers park and exit parking spaces remotely from outside the car. Some controls in Hyundai cars can be controlled with your voice.
Though these features are cool, Hyundai (HYMTF) and Kia (KIMTF) announced that they are partnering up with a leader in smartphones to develop future in-car tech.
The “SmartThings” application on the screen of a Hyundai Vehicle
Hyundai/Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Hyundai?
In a recent announcement, the automaking duo announced that they are collaborating with fellow South Korean technology giant Samsung (SSNLF) on a next-generation software suite that will seamlessly link future Hyundai and Kia cars with Samsung’s ecosystem of electronics.
The new software suite, which consists of a new infotainment system and an “open mobility ecosystem,” was developed with the help of 42dot, Hyundai Motor Group’s in-house software research and development arm.
Through this partnership, future Kia and Hyundai vehicles will be able to use Samsung’s futuristic SmartThings smart home platform. This platform lets users connect to and control a range of Samsung-branded electronics and appliances without having to physically touch them.
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With this new system, Hyundai and Kia drivers will be able to wirelessly control compatible Samsung appliances, including air conditioners, dishwashers, surveillance cameras, pet feeders, washers, dryers, and steamers from the comfort of their driver’s seats.
Likewise, Hyundai and Kia drivers will be able to control in-car features like climate control, radio, locks, and ignition using the SmartThings application.
Additionally, the new partnership will allow the SmartThings Find application to track Kia and Hyundai vehicles — Samsung’s equivalent of Apple’s ‘Find My’ service for iPhones, AirPods, and other devices.
“Through our collaboration with Hyundai and Kia, customers will experience the convenience of SmartThings not only at home but also in their vehicles, transcending space,” Samsung DX Division President, CTO and Samsung Research Head Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun said. “We will continue to expand the SmartThings ecosystem, offering new lifestyles and value to even more customers.”
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Hyundai and Kia are also planning to routinely introduce new services to make more “user-centered” daily experiences.
Though Samsung is expanding the SmartThings platform to enable in-vehicle functions like health monitoring, the new cohort is also working on a new app store for this new generation of “smartphones on wheels.”
“Our goal is to enrich Hyundai Motor and Kia customers’ mobility experience by offering personalized services that extend beyond transportation, seamlessly integrating vehicles with smartphones,” Hyundai Motor Group Advanced Vehicle Platform Division Head Chang Song, said.
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