Hyper-connected Services
Connectivity
Today, cars are integrating computers and artificial intelligence into their systems faster than expected. With their functions rapidly expanding, from something simple like map searches and phone connection to more advanced features like music play, weather forecasts, scheduling, and control of vehicle features like air conditioning and sunroof. Soon, connected cars will boast even more advanced features such as controlling electric appliances at home, checking the health of drivers and communicating with doctors via a video call.
If autonomous driving technology is for the freedom of mobility, connected cars will enrich our lives. An in-house development of key technologies for connected cars will strengthen Kia’s possibilities for collaboration with leading global Information Communication Technologies (ICT) players and investments in prospect start-ups. After rolling out its first connected car by 2020, Kia will expand application of relevant technologies until all of its cars are equipped with connected services by 2030.
To accomplish this daunting task, Kia formed a task force and broke down boundaries of collaboration between different parts of the organizations. The first move was to build a voice recognition research lab within its R&D center in Namyang in 2014, followed by teaming up with experts in the field of connected technology development. Since then, the company has successfully developed a stable connectivity environment and an in-house ccOS that can swiftly process a vast amount of data. Currently in the works is a connected car service platform (ccSP) that will provide users with various services in collaboration with ICT companies from Korea, the U.S. and China.
Furthermore, the company established its first overseas big data center in China in September 2017 that will set the stage for introducing its connected car service in the world’s most populous market. More plans are in place to set up new big data centers in other strategic markets around the world, while Kia has also invested in the American Center for Mobility an industry-academia cooperation entity authorized by the U.S. government that will perform research into future mobility when completed by the end of 2019.
In 2020, Kia’s first connected car will roll off the production line. Featuring diverse connected car services, this next-generation vehicle will perform all the above-mentioned functions at a processing speed of one gigabyte per second, showing everyone how near the future has come. These connected car technologies will be applied to the full range of Kia models in phases by 2030
