Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group have taken smart home integration a step further, enabling drivers of select Hyundai and Kia vehicles to control their SmartThings-compatible appliances directly from their car’s infotainment system. This new Car-to-Home feature allows vehicles equipped with Hyundai’s BlueLink or Kia Connect services to manage devices like air conditioners, robot vacuums, air purifiers, and lighting, expanding the convenience of Samsung’s previous Home-to-Car capability that linked cars with home control.
By simply scanning a QR code shown on the vehicle’s screen, drivers link their cars to their SmartThings account, seamlessly bridging mobility and smart living. The feature is rolled out through software updates for models using the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (CCNC) infotainment platform introduced in late 2022, signaling a growing trend of cars doubling as smart home hubs.
How Hyundai and Kia integrate SmartThings in car infotainment
Smart interaction goes beyond device control. SmartThings Routines can trigger actions based on the car’s location-for instance, turning on your home’s air conditioner, purifier, and lights as you approach. Conversely, ”Away Mode” ensures lights switch off when you leave, adding automation that adjusts to your lifestyle patterns. This direct integration between vehicles and smart homes exemplifies how automotive infotainment systems are evolving into lifestyle command centers.
Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group’s broader smart connectivity strategy
The collaboration reflects the close ties between Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group, two South Korean giants already aligned in hardware supply-Hyundai vehicles frequently use Samsung Exynos chips, camera sensors, and batteries. Together, they’re also experimenting with private 5G networks for automotive uses and integrating SmartThings Find for enhanced location tracking, illustrating a broader strategy to merge connectivity in cars and homes.
Vision for smart living and mobility integration
Jae-yeon Jeong, Vice President of Samsung’s SmartThings Team, summed up the vision: the Car-to-Home service is not just an add-on but a new standard for blending smart living and mobility. As vehicles become smarter and the boundaries between home and away spaces blur, such innovations could push other automakers to rethink the role of their infotainment systems in daily life.