Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have announced a strategic technology partnership with Samsung Electronics to enhance the integration between software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and smartphones, aiming to strengthen their position in the evolving mobility service ecosystem.
The signing ceremony took place at Samsung Electronics' Seoul R&D Campus, with key attendees including Chang Song, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division; Haeyoung Kwon, Vice President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group Infotainment Development Center; Paul (Kyungwhoon) Cheun, President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics; and Jinhee Choi, Senior Executive Vice President of 42dot.
As Hyundai Motor and Kia prepare for the SDV era, 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.
Through this agreement, Hyundai Motor and Kia will work with Samsung Electronics to connect SDVs with the smartphone ecosystem using Samsung’s SmartThings platform. This integration with the global Internet of Things (IoT) network is intended to improve the mobility experience for customers, allowing them to seamlessly link their vehicles to their smartphones and accelerating the transition to fully software-defined vehicles.
One of the key features of this enhanced connectivity will be a vehicle location verification service. This will be integrated with Samsung's 'SmartThings Find,' allowing users to track their vehicles using a network of Samsung Galaxy devices that employ Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. The system will enable users to locate their vehicles even in areas with poor cellular coverage.
Customers can check their vehicle’s location through the Connected Car Service app, particularly useful in situations such as forgetting where they parked or in cases of theft. Additionally, Hyundai and Kia customers who are not registered with the Connected Car Service can use Samsung’s SmartThings app to locate their vehicles.
In addition, Hyundai Motor and Kia are working with Samsung to simplify new member registration by linking user accounts across platforms. The partnership aims to offer lifestyle-related services, including healthcare, pet care, and customizable vehicle interiors, further enriching customer experiences.
Hyundai Motor and Kia, along with 42dot, plan to continue introducing new services that seamlessly connect vehicles and smartphones, making daily experiences more user-centric. They also plan to share vehicle data APIs and software development kits (SDKs) with partners, including Samsung, to foster collaboration on new mobility services through their next-generation infotainment system.
Looking ahead, Hyundai Motor and Kia are planning the '2025 Developer Conference,' where they will announce plans to build an SDK, enabling external developers to create vehicle apps for SDVs. This conference will also introduce a vehicle app market, allowing developers to participate in building apps for Hyundai and Kia's SDV ecosystem.
Chang Song stated, '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 Cheun, commented, '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.'
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