Following Hyundai Motor Company, Kia is also strengthening its collaboration with Samsung Electronics. Kia announced on February 27th that it had signed a strategic business agreement with Samsung Electronics for 'Kia PBV-Samsung Electronics IoT Solution-based B2B Business Cooperation' at the '2025 Kia EV Day' event held in Tarragona, Spain on the 24th (local time).
Through this agreement, Kia plans to integrate Samsung Electronics' AI solution and IoT platform, 'SmartThings Pro', into its PBVs, including the PV5. In the future, customers using Kia PBVs for business purposes will be able to remotely control Samsung Electronics home appliances in their workplaces through the in-vehicle infotainment system.
For example, a small business owner operating an unmanned store can activate the 'Commute Mode' while driving the PBV to the store, and home appliances such as air conditioners and signage will automatically turn on before arriving at the store. In addition, SmartThings Pro provides task lists such as inventory status and filter replacement guidance to support efficient store management.
After visiting the store, activating the 'Leave Work Mode' turns off the power of devices in the store and provides energy saving and security management. Real-time notifications can also be received in the event of intrusion or device failure.
Unmanned guesthouse operators can remotely handle tasks such as checking guest check-in/check-out and opening room doors from the PBV through the 'Unmanned Business Mode'.
Kim Sang-dae, Vice President of Kia's PBV Business Division, said, "After completing the Proof of Concept (PoC), actual business progress (service launch) is expected to be possible after mid-next year." He added, "Middle-aged customers familiar with smartphones will quickly adapt to operating the SmartThings Pro app in the vehicle."
Kia and Samsung Electronics plan to create new business models, such as developing PBV-specific IoT product groups and customized bundled products, and pursue entry into the global market.
The collaboration between Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group is expanding to various fields such as electric vehicle batteries, SDVs, IT, and robotics. Previously, Hyundai Motor Company announced that it had successfully built a dedicated communication system based on Samsung Electronics' 5G private network. This will enable efficient control of various manufacturing process equipment, such as industrial robots and wireless tools, at Hyundai Motor Company's Ulsan electric vehicle-only plant, which is scheduled to start operations in the first half of 2026.
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