Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group have joined forces to launch the Car-to-Home Service, enabling drivers to control smart home appliances directly from their Hyundai or Kia vehicles. The service went live on Monday.
This launch follows the successful introduction of the Home-to-Car feature last December, which allowed users to manage vehicle functions remotely from their homes. The new Car-to-Home service completes a seamless two-way communication bridge between vehicles and homes.
With this system, Hyundai and Kia drivers can now remotely operate SmartThings-connected appliances such as air conditioners, air purifiers, robot vacuum cleaners, and lighting systems through their vehicle’s touchscreen interface.
Hyundai’s BlueLink and Kia Connect users can access the Car-to-Home feature by easily linking their SmartThings account via a QR code displayed on the in-vehicle system, according to Samsung. The service is currently available on vehicles equipped with the connected car Navigation Cockpit platform, introduced after November 2022. Samsung plans to expand compatibility through future software updates.
A central element of the Car-to-Home service is the integration of SmartThings’ location-based “Smart Routines,” enabling automated actions based on the vehicle’s proximity to the user’s home.
For example, as a driver approaches their residence, the system can automatically activate a “return home mode,” switching on air purifiers and lighting. Users can also pre-cool their homes during hot summer months. Conversely, upon departure, an “away mode” can be triggered to turn off unnecessary appliances and lighting while activating a robot vacuum cleaner.
Samsung states that the Car-to-Home service is engineered to provide a more integrated and personalized user experience by converging mobility and home environments into a unified connected ecosystem.
“The launch of the Car-to-Home service is more than just adding a new feature; it enables users to experience a cohesive daily life that extends seamlessly between their homes and vehicles,” said Jung Jae-yeon, Vice President and Head of SmartThings at Samsung Electronics.
The previously launched Home-to-Car service allows users to monitor their vehicle’s status through the SmartThings app on their mobile devices and remotely control functions like air conditioning, door locking/unlocking, and electric vehicle charging.
Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group initially signed an agreement in September 2024 to improve connectivity across their respective product ranges, beginning with location-tracking functionalities powered by Samsung’s SmartThings Find.
Even without a direct internet connection, Galaxy smartphones can utilize other nearby Galaxy devices to accurately pinpoint a vehicle’s location, according to Samsung. This feature is especially helpful for users who forget where they parked or in the event of vehicle theft, enhancing both convenience and security.
The connectivity collaboration also extends to include health monitoring features that analyze passengers’ health using in-vehicle cameras linked with Samsung’s Galaxy wearables, as well as pet care functions that enable remote control of the in-car environment for pet safety and comfort.
