KIA has introduced its Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) technology through its EV9 SUV’s on-demand features and over-the-air (OTA) software updates, allowing customers to remotely purchase and install new software functions based on their needs.
Kia, which is affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group, recently launched its flagship electric SUV, the EV9. Notably, it is the Group’s first model to offer a range of digital features and services accessible via the Kia Connect Store.
The EV9’s electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture allows for OTA software updates, giving customers the added flexibility to select the features they want to upgrade. In addition to innovative experiences, such as Highway Driving Pilot (HDP), which provides conditional Level 3 autonomous driving, further on-demand services will be continuously introduced through the Kia Connect Store.
Hyundai Motor Group’s future roadmap for SDV, announced last October at the Unlock the Software Age event, highlights the safe and comfortable freedom of movement offered by software. Upgradeable software can enhance vehicle functions, including safety, convenience, connectivity, security, and driving performance.
On-demand services and OTA software updates usher in the era of SDV
Kia’s introduction of the EV9 marks a big step forward for the SDV era. One of the most notable features of EV9 is its expanded OTA software update capability. Unlike previous models, the EV9’s OTA software update capability allows for updating not just the vehicle’s core components but also its convenience features, providing the EV9 with endless possibilities as an SDV.
With the expanded OTA software update capability, various functions and convenience specifications can now be added or updated without requiring a separate equipment connection to the vehicle. This is possible through wireless communication between the cloud server and the vehicle, enabling control unit software updates without customers having to visit a service centre.
The integration of vehicle control units into four functional areas, based on a domain centralised architecture, is in line with the Group’s SDV strategy. This integration process has significantly reduced the number of control units, providing a robust technological foundation for efficient vehicle function and performance upgrades.
Customise features anytime, anywhere
Kia is taking a step further in providing a personalised vehicle experience to its customers. The company recently announced the introduction of Hyundai Motor Group’s first-ever on-demand service with the Kia EV9, which will be available through the Kia Connect Store.
The Kia Connect Store offers a range of features, such as Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, which enables drivers to park and exit their vehicles remotely. The store also offers a feature called Lighting Pattern, which provides five different display modes for the two clusters of small cube lamps affixed to the SUV’s front. The ultimate goal is to provide a wider range of high-tech features in the future.
Customers can choose and purchase the features they want at any time and from any location. With the Kia Connect Store website, customers can effortlessly browse and select the features they desire, without being bound by the constraints of their initial purchase specifications.
