Samsung Electronics has announced a strategic collaboration with Hyundai Motor and Kia to enhance the SmartThings Internet of Things (IoT) platform by integrating it with Hyundai and Kia’s next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The partnership aims to deliver seamless connectivity and improved user experiences both at home and on the road.
Expanding Connectivity Across Vehicles and Homes
Under the new agreement, Samsung’s SmartThings platform will connect with Hyundai and Kia vehicles, enabling users to manage various aspects of their automobiles and home environments through a unified IoT system. This integration will extend beyond simple home automation, allowing users to control in-car functions such as air conditioning, monitor vehicle status, and even manage smart home devices remotely while driving.
The partnership promises to make mobility more connected and intuitive. Hyundai and Kia vehicle owners will have the ability to link their cars to the SmartThings Find platform, a service powered by a network of Samsung Galaxy devices that use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. This function allows users to locate their vehicles even in areas without cellular network coverage, providing peace of mind in situations where cars are misplaced or stolen.
Key Features of the Collaboration
- SmartThings Find Integration: With the SmartThings Find feature, users will be able to pinpoint the exact location of their Hyundai or Kia vehicles using their Samsung Galaxy smartphones. This service relies on a global crowdsourced network of Samsung devices that can report location data, ensuring vehicle tracking remains accessible even in the absence of a 4G or 5G connection.
- In-Car and Home Automation: Drivers can use their Galaxy devices to check vehicle status, such as remaining range or temperature control, via the Quick Panel on their phones. Additionally, SmartThings will allow users to control home appliances—like air conditioners, air purifiers, and lighting—while on the road. The integration offers a comprehensive, connected experience, so users can ensure their homes are at optimal conditions by the time they arrive.
- AI-Based Personalization: Samsung, Hyundai, and Kia will expand this collaboration to include AI-driven services tailored to individual user preferences. This includes in-vehicle health monitoring systems that utilize cameras and Galaxy devices, enabling real-time monitoring of a driver’s health or pet care solutions that adjust vehicle settings for pets on board. The partnership also aims to integrate smart apartment management with vehicle functions, creating a unified ecosystem that extends well beyond traditional vehicle functionality.
Enhancing the User Experience Through Shared Technology
The partnership builds on an initial collaboration established earlier in 2024, when Samsung and Hyundai announced a focus on integrating home-to-car and car-to-home connectivity. That agreement sought to streamline control over Hyundai and Kia vehicles as well as Samsung home appliances from a single device.
This latest development takes that vision further by broadening the scope of integration between the SmartThings ecosystem and Hyundai and Kia’s SDVs. The added features and AI-driven services represent a significant step toward creating a fully connected lifestyle, where mobility, health, and home automation are all part of a seamless experience.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Executives from both Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group emphasized the importance of this collaboration in pushing the boundaries of smart technology. Chang Song, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division, remarked, “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.”
Paul (Kyungwhoon) Cheun, President and CTO of Samsung Electronics’ DX Division, added, “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. We will continue to expand the SmartThings ecosystem, offering new lifestyles and value to even more customers.”
Looking Ahead
As more automakers and tech companies seek to bridge the gap between home and mobility, Samsung and Hyundai’s partnership represents a key milestone in the evolution of connected living. By leveraging IoT and AI capabilities, they are crafting a future where users can effortlessly manage both their vehicles and their homes through a single platform.
The collaboration between Samsung, Hyundai, and Kia signifies a shift toward more integrated, connected experiences that simplify daily life and offer new conveniences. With advancements in SDVs and IoT systems like SmartThings, the future of mobility is increasingly intertwined with how we live at home. This agreement paves the way for more innovations as these companies continue to explore the potential of AI-driven solutions in both vehicles and homes.
Conclusion
The partnership between Samsung, Hyundai, and Kia marks a major step in expanding the capabilities of IoT systems, offering a more connected and personalized experience for users. With the integration of the SmartThings platform into vehicles and homes, consumers can look forward to a future where technology simplifies and enhances daily routines, whether they are behind the wheel or in the comfort of their homes.
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