Kia and Samsung Join Forces to Bring Smart IoT Features to Business Vehicles

Kia Corporation and Samsung Electronics have announced a new partnership to integrate Samsung’s SmartThings Pro platform into Kia’s upcoming “Platform Beyond Vehicles” (PBVs) – a range of purpose-built business vehicles. The agreement, signed during Kia’s EV Day event in Spain, extends an existing tech partnership with Hyundai Motor Group and underscores the growing convergence of automotive and IoT technology. By bringing SmartThings Pro into Kia’s PBVs, the two companies aim to transform these vehicles into smart, connected business hubs on wheels, offering more convenient and efficient mobility experiences for enterprise customers.

What is SmartThings Pro?

SmartThings Pro is Samsung’s enterprise-grade Internet of Things (IoT) platform designed for business environments. Unlike the standard SmartThings app for consumers, SmartThings Pro serves as a B2B management solution that connects and controls a wide array of devices and systems across different locations – from residential and retail spaces to offices and factories. In practice, this means a business user can monitor energy usage, automate building controls, and manage equipment all through one unified platform. By integrating this platform into vehicles, Samsung and Kia are enabling cars to interface seamlessly with other smart systems, effectively turning the vehicle into an extension of a company’s connected infrastructure.

Understanding Kia’s “Platform Beyond Vehicles” (PBVs)

Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicles (PBV) concept represents a new class of purpose-built electric vehicles tailored to specific business or lifestyle needs. The term “Platform Beyond Vehicles” signals Kia’s vision of modular, flexible designs that go beyond ordinary transportation, allowing these EVs to serve as mobile offices, shops, or service hubs.

Kia emphasizes that PBVs are “more than just vehicles” – they are adaptable platforms equipped with advanced software, aimed at delivering new services and value for users. In essence, a PBV can be configured for tasks like goods delivery, ride-sharing, healthcare, or food service, providing a total mobility solution that combines a fit-for-purpose EV with integrated digital services (Hyundai Motor Group in 2024: Part 1). The first dedicated PBV model (the Kia PV5) is expected to launch soon as part of this strategy, and Samsung’s IoT technology will play a key role in its capabilities.

Empowering Business Users with Connected Vehicles

For business owners and fleet operators, the Samsung–Kia collaboration promises tangible benefits. SmartThings Pro integration means a Kia PBV will seamlessly link to the user’s business environment, enabling automated control of devices and routines between the vehicle and external facilities. Here’s how it can impact business users:

• Automated Routine Control: A Kia PBV can trigger pre-set routines for a business location based on the vehicle’s navigation or status. For example, a small business owner can have the store’s air conditioning, signage, and even appliances turn on or off automatically when the PBV is approaching or leaving the premises. This kind of automation simplifies daily operations and ensures the workspace is ready for business without manual intervention.
• Remote Monitoring & Management: Because the vehicle is connected to the cloud-based SmartThings Pro system, owners can monitor multiple business sites in real time while on the move. Operators of delivery fleets or unmanned stores will receive alerts for any unusual activity or equipment failures detected at their facilities, directly through the vehicle’s interface. They can also adjust settings (like security systems or thermostats) on the fly, improving responsiveness and saving time.
• “Plug & Play” Customization: Kia’s PBVs will support a plug-and-play model for IoT devices. Simply attaching a smart connector in the vehicle allows business users to add or remove IoT-enabled equipment without complex setup (Kia Global Media Center). This flexible approach means a food truck, mobile clinic, or shuttle can be quickly outfitted with the necessary smart appliances and tools to suit different missions.
• Mobile Business Operations: The integration helps mobile entrepreneurs run their entire business from the driver’s seat. For instance, a food truck operator can automate all on-board equipment (signage, cooking appliances, refrigerators, lighting, cash registers) at once with SmartThings Pro. This significantly cuts down setup and pack-up time each day, allowing even a single-person team to operate efficiently.

Overall, by linking vehicle functions with building systems and devices, Samsung and Kia are offering business users a unified “vehicle-to-business” connectivity that streamlines operations and reduces friction between transit and workplace management.

Outlook

As cars become smarter and more connected, partnerships like the one between Samsung and Kia highlight the growing importance of cross-industry collaboration. Tech companies provide expertise in connectivity and data, while automakers provide the physical platform and mobility experience. For tech enthusiasts and business users alike, the integration of SmartThings Pro into Kia’s PBVs is an exciting development. It demonstrates how modern vehicles can double as rolling smart hubs that tie into the Internet of Things. This not only enhances convenience and safety but also opens up new ways of doing business on the move.

Kia and Samsung have indicated they will continue to explore new IoT solutions and expand these offerings globally, leveraging Korea’s strong reputation in smart technology. If successful, their initiative could set a precedent for the automotive industry: we may soon expect any business-oriented vehicle to come with built-in IoT connectivity as a standard feature. Ultimately, the Samsung–Kia SmartThings Pro integration exemplifies how merging automotive innovation with digital ecosystems can drive the next wave of mobility – one where the car is not just transportation, but an integral part of a connected business and lifestyle network.