Song Chang-hyun, left, president and head of Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced vehicle platform division, poses with Cheun Kyung-whoon, head of Samsung Research, after signing a tech partnership at Samsung Seoul R&D Campus, Wednesday. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group have clinched a tech partnership to make smartphones control in-vehicle infotainment systems, the companies said Wednesday, as they seek opportunities in rising software-defined vehicle (SDV) business.

Under the partnership, Samsung’s Galaxy smartphone users will be able to find the location of their vehicles with their phones and access their vehicles’ air conditioning systems simply with their smart devices.

Hyundai Motor and Kia drivers will be able to control Samsung’s smart consumer electronic devices with their car’s infotainment system, and Galaxy users will be allowed to monitor their vehicles’ real-time driving range and charging status with their devices.

The carmakers are going all-out for their transition to become SDV makers. 42dot, a self-driving software subsidiary of the group, will stand at the center of boosting the partnership with the electronics firm.

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

SmartThings is a platform that connects devices from Samsung and its partners, helping its users to control all of their smart devices in one place.

“Our goal is to enrich the mobility experiences of our customers by offering personalized services that extend beyond transportation, seamlessly integrating vehicles with smartphones,” Song Chang-hyun, president and head of Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced vehicle platform division, said.

At this year’s CES trade fair, the two carmakers displayed their vision to become the world’s leading SDV manufacturer. They aim to build a user-centered vehicle environment and enhance the connectivity of their next-generation infotainment system, which will be unveiled in 2026.

Under the latest partnership, both firms will launch more services, such as smart health care features through which drivers can monitor their health condition with Galaxy’s wearable devices even on the road.

Both sides also reached a consensus in deepening their tech ties by using artificial intelligence, so their users enjoy better in-vehicle experiences.