The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding marking a significant step toward redefining both the ‘In-Vehicle’ and ‘Out-of-Vehicle’ experience for PBV customers.

The collaboration aligns with Kia’s wider Platform Beyond Vehicle strategy, which seeks to expand the role of PBVs beyond transportation into customized business solutions that can be integrated into broader digital ecosystems.

Kia will integrate Samsung’s IoT platform, ‘SmartThings Pro’, into its PBVs, enabling wireless control of connected devices and technologies through a ‘Plug & Play’ service. This solution allows business customers to integrate and manage IoT-enabled appliances without complex installations, simply by attaching a smart connector.

This integration allows B2B customers to configure business routines, activating the appropriate routine based on the destination entered in the PBV’s ‘In-Vehicle Infotainment’ (IVI). This allows for seamless and secure management and monitoring of external business operations, even while on the road.

For example, when small bakery owners set a nearby wholesale market as the destination, the pre-programmed business routine will activate an ‘Ingredient Purchase Mode’, and the vehicle’s internal refrigeration system will be automatically adjusted to ensure the ingredients remain fresh during the trip.

Once the ingredients are purchased and the store is set as the destination, ‘Commute Mode’ will activate. This allows the owners to prepare the store before arriving by turning on the air-conditioning, signage, and other equipment. They can also receive a task list intelligently, such as checking inventory and replacing filters, enabling them to prepare the store for operation without staff.

After business hours, they can activate a ‘Closing Mode’, which ensures that the store’s devices are powered off, energy-saving measures are applied, and security management is taken care of automatically. They will also receive real-time notifications through IVI while driving if unusual activity is detected or if maintenance is required, such as in the case of device malfunctions.

Further examples of the technology’s functionality include an ‘Unmanned Operation Mode’, which hospitality venues can use to remotely handle check-ins and check-outs, unlock room doors, control devices, and optimize climate control settings. Even while driving, owners can monitor the interior and exterior of the rooms through IVI and check guest reservation information to perform remote check-ins and check-outs.

SmartThings Pro will utilize AI-driven pattern recognition to recommend and refine automated business routines, while PBV owners will be able to monitor and control these features directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system, or through a tablet device.

Alongside SmartThings Pro integration, Kia and Samsung plan to develop specialized IoT solutions tailored to the unique needs of PBV business customers across various industries.

The two companies will first launch pilot services for small business owners and self-employed customers as part of this partnership. Moving forward, they will work on developing IoT product lines specifically for PBVs and bundled solutions tailored to the needs of B2B clients. They also aim to create new business models and extend their services to B2B customers globally.