To enhance connectivity between residential and mobility spaces, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have signed an agreement with Samsung Electronics for a Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car service partnership.
Under the agreement, Hyundai and Kia’s connected car services will be integrated with Samsung’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform, SmartThings. This will enable the auto makers’ customers to remotely control digital appliances in their home via touch and voice commands through their vehicle’s infotainment system, and control various vehicle functions from their home through AI speakers, TVs and smartphone apps.
Customers are urged to use this functionality throughout their daily lives. For example, the user can activate the ‘Home Mode’ from their car to turn on the registered air conditioner and air purifier in their house or turn on the lights for a comfortable and pleasant living space. Alternatively, before going out, they can initiate the ‘Away Mode’ to turn off unnecessary lights and start the robot vacuum to create a clean living space to return to, as well as pre-activate the vehicle’s air conditioning to a comfortable temperature.
In the case of the Car-to-Home service, users can register and use specific modes for each situation to minimize device operation while driving. Location-based automatic operation and touchscreen and voice commands will enable convenient service to users.
“This is an opportunity to make the connected car’s Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services more convenient in various fields,” said Haeyoung Kwon, VP of Hyundai and Kia’s infotainment development center.
“This collaboration will enable communication from Home-to-Car and integrated home energy management services that are optimized for future lifestyles,” explained Chanwoo Park, executive VP at Samsung Electronics.
Hyundai and Kia have already been providing Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services through collaborations with telecommunication companies and construction companies. The Car-to-Home service was previously available for six items (lighting, plugs, gas shut-off valves, ventilation, air conditioning and boilers) and the Home-to-Car service for vehicle air conditioning, remote start and charging management. Both features will be expanded to support connections with a wider range of devices.
