Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
LG supplies infotainment system to Genesis GV80
An infotainment system installed in a Genesis GV80 SUV run by LG Electronics webOS for Automotive. LG Electronics said Wednesday that it has supplied its in-vehicle operating system software to Hyundai Motor Group’s car brands including Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis. The company added the infotainment system can also display YouTube. Courtesy of LG Electronics
By Baek Byung-yeul
LG Electronics is expanding in the in-vehicle infotainment market having supplied webOS Auto, an operating system for in-vehicle infotainment, to Genesis’ latest SUVs GV80 and the GV80 Coupe, the company said Wednesday.
LG launched its in-vehicle webOS for the first time. LG’s webOS is an operating system that powers LG smart TVs, which have sold over 200 million units worldwide. The company said it developed webOS Auto allowing passengers to enjoy a variety of services through a customized user experience, including YouTube and online streaming content.
In order to provide an optimized viewing environment inside vehicles, officials from LG, Hyundai Motor Group and YouTube had a meeting in Los Angeles on Oct. 31. During the meeting they commemorated the installation of the in-vehicle operating system in the GV80 and the GV80 Coupe and discussed collaboration for providing in-vehicle entertainment services.
Eun Seok-hyun, center, head of LG Electronics’ vehicle component solutions (VS) unit, poses with Kwon Hae-young, left, vice president of the infotainment development center at Hyundai Motor Group, and Tony Archibong, managing director of global product partnerships at YouTube, after discussing cooperation on providing in-vehicle entertainment service in Los Angeles, Oct. 31 (local time). Courtesy of LG Electronics
LG has been trying to expand its share in the in-vehicle infotainment market based on the accumulated technology and insights in various fields such as TVs and home appliances. The company said webOS Auto offers a differentiated mobility experience that extends users’ living space to vehicles.
“The new Genesis GV80 models are equipped with LG’s new infotainment system, enabling them to experience a variety of content they used to enjoy on mobile devices or TV through webOS Auto,” LG said. “Watching YouTube and online streaming content real-time in the driver’s seat, passenger seat and rear seat is available in accordance with driving safety regulations.”
"The ability to enjoy a variety of video content comfortably in the car is possible thanks to the technological advances based on software-defined vehicle platform,” Kwon Hae-young, vice president of the infotainment development center at Hyundai Motor Group, said. “We will continue to expand our collaboration with global major content companies to provide customers with more diverse and informative experiences.”
Eun Seok-hyun, head of LG Electronics’ vehicle component solutions (VS) unit, said “LG will continue to introduce automotive solutions that provide differentiated customer experiences to automotive customers as well as drivers and passengers, including webOS that provide entertainment experiences in cars.”