Samsung, Hyundai Motor partnership enhances connectivity for cars, homes

A user operates the home-to-car service on the SmartThings app on Samsung Electronics' Galaxy smartphone to control the air conditioning system of Hyundai Motor's IONIQ 6 electric vehicle. Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group said Thursday that they agreed to develop a connected car service. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics is expanding the scope of its SmartThings Internet of Things (IoT) platform that connects to cars through a partnership with Hyundai Motor Group, they said Thursday.

The companies said they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a home-to-car and car-to-home IoT service partnership.

Through this MOU, Samsung will work with Hyundai Motor and Kia to integrate their connected car service platform for developing home-to-car and car-to-home services for the next generation of smart homes, as well as integrated home energy management services.

The collaboration between Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group is the second since the two announced their first partnership for in-vehicle infotainment in June last year.

At that time, they agreed to equip Samsung's premium in-vehicle infotainment processor, Exynos Auto V920, in Hyundai Motor's premium vehicles by 2025.

In October last year, Samsung SDI, a battery unit of Samsung Group, also agreed to supply electric car batteries to Hyundai Motor, significantly expanding the alliance between Samsung Group and Hyundai Motor Group, which were once rivals.

A concept image of Samsung Electronics' SmartThings IoT platform implemented in Hyundai Motor Group's vehicle. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

Samsung said users will have more a more convenient connected experience with the home-to-car and car-to-home services.

"Users will be able to start their cars from home, operate the vehicle's air conditioning system, open and close the windows and check the charging status of electric vehicles (EVs) through SmartThings. They will also be able to control home appliances such as TVs and air conditioners, as well as EV chargers from their cars," the company said.

For example, in a connected scenario, when the alarm on a Galaxy smartphone rings in the morning, the curtains automatically open, the lights and TV turn on, and the vehicle adjusts the interior to the appropriate temperature. Also, the remaining battery level and driving range of the electric car is displayed on the smartphone and TV screen.

In addition, the integrated home energy management service allows users to monitor the energy use of home and vehicle together.

Samsung added the service will also allow users to check not only the energy usage of connected devices in their homes, but also the energy usage of EV chargers and vehicles and adjust the optimal charging time.

"This MOU will enable home-to-car and integrated home energy management services optimized for future lifestyles," Park Chan-woo, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics, said. "We will enhance the customer experience by connecting the SmartThings platform and cars."

Kwon Hae-young, vice president of the Infotainment Development Center at Hyundai Motor Group, said the partnership will "provide an opportunity to use the car-to-home and home-to-car services of connected cars more diversely and conveniently."

"We plan to step up the development of technologies to make the travel journey of Hyundai and Kia customers around the world a meaningful time," he added.

Samsung added that it is also working to enhance in-vehicle experience, including car-to-home services, in cooperation with its subsidiary Harman, in addition to this MOU.