Remote control to reach new heights with Samsung-Hyundai SmartThings partnership

Hyundai and Kia owners will be able to control their Samsung appliances at home through the vehicle's infotainment system thanks to a partnership with the electronics giant.

Chang Song, Hyundai Motor Group president and head of Advanced Vehicle Platform Division, left, and Cheun Kyung-hoon, Samsung Electronics president and chief technology officer of Device eXperience Division, pose for the photo after the signing ceremony to advance SmartThings platform and infotainment system at Samsung Electronics’ Seoul R&D Campus in southern Seoul on Wednesday. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

Hyundai and Kia owners will soon be able to remotely control their home appliances from their car — and control their car's climate from their home — using Samsung's smart home platform.

Samsung Electronics signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Motor, Kia and Hyundai’s self-driving car developer 42dot on Wednesday to integrate Samsung’s internet-of-things (IoT) platform SmartThings into the automaker’s infotainment system.

The partnership will center on a vehicle location solution called SmartThings Find, allowing users to locate their cars using nearby Galaxy phones even without needing a 4G or 5G network connection. This feature makes it easier to track down their cars in unexpected situations, such as when they are lost or stolen.

The SmartThings Find service leverages a crowdsourced network of Samsung Galaxy devices, which uses Bluetooth low energy technology to detect signals from the vehicle or smart keys.

Moreover, drivers will be able to use their Galaxy’s Quick Panel function to control the car’s climate and check the remaining range from their phones. Hyundai and Kia cars will also be integrated with the SmartThings platform, allowing users to remotely control Samsung air conditioners, air purifiers or other connected devices while in their car.

The companies will collaborate to advance their SmartThings platform further, such as developing in-vehicle health monitoring via cameras and Galaxy devices, pet care solutions that let users control the vehicle's environment remotely for pets, and other smart home features.

The signing ceremony was attended by Samsung executives including Cheun Kyung-hoon, president and chief technology officer of Device eXperience Division; Choi Seung-beom, executive vice president and head of the Device Platform Center; and Park Chan-woo, executive vice president of the IoT R&D team, along with Hyundai Motor Group representatives such as Chang Song, president and head of Advanced Vehicle Platform Division; Kwon Hae-young, vice president and head of the Infotainment Development Center; and Choi Jin-hee, senior executive vice president of 42dot, at Samsung Electronics’ Seoul R&D Campus in southern Seoul.

“Our goal is to enrich Hyundai Motor and Kia customers’ mobility experience by offering personalized services that extend beyond transportation, seamlessly integrating vehicles with smartphones,” Song said in a statement.

“Through our collaboration with Hyundai and Kia, customers will experience the convenience of SmartThings not only at home but also in their vehicles, transcending space,” Cheun said. “We will continue to expand the SmartThings ecosystem, offering new lifestyles and value to even more customers.”

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]