Tech companies have all been pre-occupied with AI including the part where it can be used in vehicles to make them automated. Simple thing things like smart home platform integration have been overlooked, but that won't be true for long with Hyundai.
SmartThings in Hyundais
Samsung Electronics is collaborating with the Korean carmaker to make it easier for owners to monitor their homes while in their cars, as well as vice versa. It comes after both signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to develop future lifestyles for cars and homes.
Hyundai and Kia vehicles including EVs will be connected to SmartThings so that users can monitor as well as control their cars from the Samsung app. The integration can be found in the car's infotainment system, which can be used for home energy management services.
With this function, drivers will be able to control appliances from their cars, as long as they are connected to SmartThings. Users will be able to access devices and electronics like TVs, air conditioners, and EV chargers before they even get out of their car or arrive home.
The integration works both ways, as they can also control their cars while users are still in their homes. Through the smart home platform, they can start the car, assuming it has that capability, along with controlling air conditioning, opening and closing windows, and checking EV charging status.
Energy information about EVs will be available through the app, and users can adjust the time for charging. This way, drivers can control the schedule of charging as they factor in different pricing by time of day and other factors, as per Samsung.
SmartThings has a feature that prepares the home appliances depending on the schedule. For instance, a "good morning" routine will prompt curtains to open and televisions to turn on. This will extend to vehicles where the user's car will adjust to the right temperature before the driver gets in.
Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics, Chanwoo Park said that the collaboration will "enable communication from Home-to-Car and integrated home energy management services that are optimized for future lifestyles."
Tesla is Adopting the Same Tech
Hyundais and Kias will not be the only car brand jumping into the smart home platform integration. Tesla, known for its EVs, is collaborating with Samsung to utilize its smart home technology for the Powerwall home battery.
Through the app, users can monitor their power usage as well as energy production. This also applies to other Tesla products like the electric vehicle itself, the Solar Inverter, and Wall Connector charging solutions, as per The Verge.
It syncs with Tesla's Storm Watch feature which shows the current weather and if it's good enough for driving conditions. The information will be displayed through a Samsung phone or TV in one's home.
The collaboration will take advantage of Tesla's API. Samsung said that SmartThings Energy is the first to make use of the tool. It's likely that these new features will be demonstrated at this year's CES event.
