Hyundai, Kia collaborate with LG on in-vehicle infotainment system

Hyundai Motor and Kia have joined forces with LG Electronics and YouTube to install an in-vehicle infotainment system, streaming a variety of content including YouTube videos, in their cars.

Officials from Hyundai Motor, LG Electronics and YouTube pose for a photo after signing an agreement to enhance cooperation for an in-vehicle infotainment platform in Los Angeles, California, on Oct. 31. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor and Kia are collaborating with LG Electronics and YouTube to install new in-vehicle infotainment system in their vehicles.

The system will allow people to stream a variety of content, including YouTube videos, in Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis cars.

The latest Hyundai Genesis GV80 and GV80 Coupe will be the first models to have LG's webOS for Automotive platform under the deal, which the companies signed Tuesday.

A Genesis GV80 equipped with LG's in-vehicle infotainment platform [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Passengers in the front seats and rear seats will be able to watch different videos based on their preferences.

The webOS for Automotive program is LG's first in-vehicle infotainment software based on its web-centric smart TV platform. It allows drivers and passengers to enjoy content from YouTube and other streaming services during their travels, LG said.

“Technological advancement of software-defined vehicles [SDVs] make people to enjoy various videos even in the car,” said Kwon Hae-young, vice president of Hyundai Motor's infotainment development center. “Hyundai will strengthen cooperation with major global content providers to offer diverse and useful experience to customers.”

A SDV is an automobile equipped with technology that drivers can use to wirelessly update their software.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]