Hyundai Motor, Kia and Samsung Electronics Join Forces to Enhance SDV User Experience

• The alliance aims to strengthen the connection between software-based vehicles (SDVs) and smartphones to secure a leading position in the mobility services ecosystem
• Hyundai Motor and Kia to collaborate with 42dot to develop next-generation infotainment system and open ecosystem to provide user-centric environment
• Hyundai Motor and Kia sign agreement to increase connectivity of next-generation infotainment system with Samsung’s global ‘SmartThings’ platform
• Hyundai Motor, Kia and Samsung plan to develop technology that connects SDVs with smartphones to create services optimized for customers’ lifestyles and tastes
• Create an open ecosystem by sharing vehicle data application programming interfaces (APIs) and develop services for convenient mobility experiences

SEOUL, South Korea, September 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced a strategic technology partnership with Samsung Electronics to enhance the integration between software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and smartphones, with the aim of achieving a leading position in the mobility services ecosystem.

The signing ceremony was held today at the Samsung Electronics Seoul R&D Campus, and attendees included: Chang SongPresident and Chairman of Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division of Hyundai Motor Group; Haeyoung KwonVice President and Head of Infotainment Development Center, Hyundai Motor Group; Paul (Kyungwhoon) Cheun, President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics and Head of Samsung Research; and Jinhee ChoiSenior Vice President of 42dot.

Hyundai Motor and Kia are preparing for the SDV era by envisioning various in-car services. To this end, they are working on a next-generation infotainment system and an open mobility ecosystem in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group’s global software center 42dot. This development aims to provide a user-centric vehicle environment by improving the connectivity of the infotainment system, which is planned to be introduced in 2026.

“Our goal is to enrich the mobility experience of Hyundai Motor and Kia customers by providing personalized services that go beyond transportation and seamlessly integrate vehicles with smartphones,” he said. Chang SongPresident and Director of Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division of Hyundai Motor Group.

As a result of the agreement, Hyundai Motor and Kia will develop technology to organically connect SDVs and the smartphone ecosystem using Samsung Electronics’ ‘SmartThings.’ By integrating with the global Internet of Things (IoT) platform, they aim to enrich customers’ mobility experiences, seamlessly connect the entire process of vehicle use to smartphones, and accelerate the transition to true SDVs.

“Through our collaboration with Hyundai and Kia, customers will experience the convenience of SmartThings not only in their homes but also in their vehicles, expanding beyond space,” said Paul (Kyungwhoon) Cheun, President, CTO, and Head of Samsung Research, DX Division, Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to expand the SmartThings ecosystem, bringing new lifestyles and value to more customers.”

With this enhanced connectivity, Hyundai Motor, Kia and Samsung Electronics will offer a service for vehicle location verification. This service will be expanded and enhanced through integration with ‘SmartThings Find’, a global vehicle location tracking service. The service is accessible via a crowd-sourced network of hundreds of millions of Samsung Galaxy devices that use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to report their locations without restrictions related to cellular coverage.

Customers can easily check the location of their vehicles via the Connected Car Service app in case of unexpected events such as forgetting where they parked or theft. Even Hyundai or Kia customers whose vehicles are not registered with Connected Car Service can check the location via the Samsung SmartThings app.

Hyundai Motor and Kia will also simplify the new member registration process by linking user accounts with Samsung Electronics. In the future, they plan to offer services optimized for customers’ lifestyles and tastes, such as health, pet care, and vehicle interiors, and plan to continue collaborating with Samsung Electronics to provide new mobility experiences.

Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to seamlessly connect vehicles and smartphones with 42dot and continuously introduce new services, aiming to make all daily experiences user-centric. They also plan to continuously develop services for convenient and enjoyable mobility experiences by sharing vehicle data application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs) through a next-generation infotainment system based on an open ecosystem with various partners, including Samsung Electronics.

Hyundai Motor and Kia also plan to hold a ‘2025 Developer Conference’ in the first half of next year and announce plans to set up an SDK and a vehicle app marketplace for SDVs where external developers can directly participate and develop ‘killer apps.’

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