Hyundai Motor and Kia are collaborating with 42dot to develop a next-generation infotainment system and foster an open ecosystem. This partnership aims to enhance the integration between software-developed vehicles (SDVs) and smartphones, securing a prominent role in the mobility service ecosystem and creating a user-centered environment.
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced their strategic technology collaboration with Samsung Electronics to enhance the integration of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and smartphones. The goal is to secure a leading position in the mobility service ecosystem. The agreement was formalised at a signing ceremony held at Samsung’s Seoul R&D Campus, with key attendees including Chang Song, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group Advanced Vehicle Platform Division; Haeyoung Kwon, Vice President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group Infotainment Development Center; Paul (Kyungwhoon) Cheun, President and CTO of Samsung’s Device eXperience Division and Head of Samsung Research; and Jinhee Choi, Senior Executive Vice President of 42dot.
Hyundai and Kia are preparing for the era of SDVs by developing a next-generation infotainment system and an open mobility ecosystem in collaboration with 42dot, aiming to create a user-centric vehicle environment. The new infotainment system is expected to launch in 2026, focusing on enhancing connectivity and providing a range of in-vehicle services.
Chang Song highlighted the partnership’s objective to enhance the mobility experience for Hyundai and Kia customers by integrating personalized services that link vehicles with smartphones through Samsung’s ‘SmartThings’ technology. This integration with the global IoT platform aims to enrich user experiences, making vehicle operations seamless and promoting the transition to true SDVs.
Paul Cheun emphasized the extended convenience that SmartThings will bring to customers, not only at home but also in their vehicles, advancing the SmartThings ecosystem to offer new lifestyles and value.
Additionally, the partnership will introduce a vehicle location verification service through the integration with ‘SmartThings Find’, utilising a global network of Samsung Galaxy devices to offer a vehicle tracking service. This service allows customers to easily locate their vehicles in various scenarios via the Connected Car Service app or the Samsung SmartThings app.
Hyundai and Kia also plan to simplify the new member registration process by integrating user accounts with Samsung Electronics. They will continue to develop services tailored to individual lifestyles, such as healthcare and pet care, and will collaborate with Samsung to offer new mobility experiences. Moreover, Hyundai and Kia aim to enhance daily experiences and mobility convenience by sharing APIs and SDKs with various partners, including Samsung, through their next-generation infotainment system.
Looking ahead, Hyundai and Kia will host the ‘2025 Developer Conference’ in the first half of the next year, where they will unveil plans for an SDK that invites external developers to create applications and establish a vehicle app market for SDVs.
