Hyundai and Kia Car-to-Home: The Next Step in Smart Home Evolution
In a groundbreaking move, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have joined forces with Samsung Electronics to revolutionize the way we interact with our vehicles and homes. This collaboration aims to integrate Hyundai and Kia's Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services with Samsung's 'SmartThings' IoT platform, thereby dissolving the barriers between living and mobility spaces.
The innovative Car-to-Home service by Hyundai and Kia will allow drivers to control various home appliances through voice commands and touch-based controls while driving. This integration extends to an array of digital appliances, enabling a seamless and intuitive experience for users. Imagine being able to turn on your air conditioner, start the robot vacuum, or dim the lights, all while on your commute back home.
Conversely, the Home-to-Car service enables users to manage their vehicle’s functionalities effortlessly from their residential spaces. This includes checking the vehicle's status, controlling functions, and managing charging schedules before and after driving. The service leverages AI speakers, televisions, and smartphone applications, offering unparalleled convenience and control.
The synergy between Hyundai and Kia’s connected car services and Samsung’s SmartThings platform is expected to provide a multitude of practical applications in daily life. For instance, a user can set the ‘Home Mode’ during a commute to pre-cool the living space, start cleaning devices, and ensure the right ambiance upon arrival. Likewise, the ‘Away Mode’ can help in energy conservation by turning off unnecessary appliances and pre-setting the vehicle's temperature.
In the case of electric vehicles, the integration with SmartThings’ home energy management service will allow owners to monitor and manage energy usage both at home and for their vehicle, optimizing charging times and energy consumption.
The Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services, initially available for a limited range of functionalities like lighting and air conditioning, will soon encompass a broader spectrum of devices and capabilities through this partnership. Hyundai and Kia's vision extends beyond local markets, as they plan to offer these advanced services to international customers by linking their connected car platforms with Samsung SmartThings.
To ensure the success and stability of these services, Hyundai and Kia are committed to developing robust infotainment systems. These will be capable of receiving updates via over-the-air (OTA) and USB-based methods, ensuring that even existing vehicle models can benefit from these advancements.
Haeyoung Kwon, Vice President of Hyundai and Kia’s Infotainment Development Center, emphasizes the potential of this collaboration in making Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services more versatile and convenient across various domains. Meanwhile, Chanwoo Park, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics, highlights the significance of this initiative in optimizing home energy management and enhancing customer experiences in both residential and mobility environments.
The collaboration between Hyundai, Kia, and Samsung Electronics represents a significant advancement in integrating automotive and smart home technology. This strategic partnership leverages Hyundai and Kia's Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services with Samsung's 'SmartThings' IoT platform, aiming to enhance the interconnectedness of mobility and residential spaces. While the initiative promises to offer convenience and efficiency, particularly in managing home and vehicle environments remotely, its success hinges on the seamless integration of these technologies and user adoption. Furthermore, it could set a precedent in the automotive and electronics industries for similar collaborations, potentially reshaping consumer expectations and experiences in both domains. The expansion of this technology to a global market also indicates a growing trend towards more interconnected, smart technology ecosystems in everyday life.
The latest Hyundai sales report marked the 17th consecutive month of sales growth for the company, with significant gains in models such as the Ioniq 5, which got into our top picks of the best small electric cars on the market list.
Source: Hyundai
