Samsung is collaborating with Hyundai to expand its SmartThings platform to support connected vehicles. The goal is to develop solutions that fully integrate the smart home and connected vehicles for future lifestyles.

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 3 January to work together over the next few years. The partnership will connect Samsung’s SmartThings platform with Hyundai and Kia connected vehicles to develop “Home-to-Car” and “Car-to-Home” services. An integrated home energy management service is also planned.

The services will allow remote control of actions like starting vehicles, controlling air conditioning, opening/closing windows, and checking charging status while at home. From inside vehicles, users will also be able to control home appliances such as TVs, air conditioners, and EV chargers.

“This collaboration will enable communication from Home-to-Car and integrated home energy management services that are optimised for future lifestyles,” said Chanwoo Park, Executive VP at Samsung.

“By connecting the SmartThings platform with vehicles, we’ll be able to significantly enhance the customer experience in both the home and the car.”

Routines will be created to simultaneously operate multiple devices, including vehicles, through triggers like “good morning” and “arriving home”. For example, when an alarm goes off in the morning, curtains could open automatically while lights and the TV turn on. When leaving for work, the vehicle could be preheated to an ideal temperature while battery level and range is displayed on screens.

“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.

“We plan to accelerate our technology development to continuously make global Hyundai and Kia customers’ journeys meaningful.”

To strengthen Car-to-Home services, Samsung is also working alongside wholly-owned subsidiary HARMAN. HARMAN’s “Ready Upgrade” digital cockpit package allows hardware/software upgrades to install SmartThings functions for various Car-to-Home services.

The collaboration between Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group signals a major step towards seamlessly connected smart home and vehicle technologies. As lifestyles and environments become more integrated through IoT advancements, the companies aim to be at the forefront with intuitive services that simplify tasks and enhance experiences.

If the partners can execute on their vision to enable truly automated and optimised routines spanning homes and vehicles, they could set a new standard in convenience for consumers across the globe.

(Photo by Mpho Mojapelo on Unsplash)

See also: Huawei forecasts growth in digital energy and smart car solutions

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Tags: car-to-home, connected cars, connected vehicles, harman, home-to-car, hyundai, internet of things, IoT, kia, samsung, smart home, smartthings