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Kia has formalised its partnership with Samsung Electronics to enhance the digital ecosystem of its platform beyond vehicles (PBVs) for business customers through the SmartThings Pro platform.
The collaboration will see the integration of Samsung’s SmartThings Pro platform into Kia’s PBV mobility solutions, which are designed to integrate fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions.
The partnership builds on a strategic technology agreement signed in September 2024 between Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Samsung.
SmartThings Pro, a B2B management platform, allows businesses to enhance mobility experiences by offering energy efficiency and integrated space management.
It connects devices, solutions, and services across various commercial settings, from residential buildings to office spaces and retail establishments.
With this latest integration, business owners using Kia PBVs can connect their vehicles to external workspaces and automate operational routines.
Users will be able to manage store functions such as air conditioning, signage, and appliances remotely through SmartThings Pro, improving convenience and efficiency.
Samsung Electronics B2B Integrated Offering Center executive vice-president Chanwoo Park said: “By integrating SmartThings Pro into Kia PBV, we plan to present an intelligent new way for businesses to be connected to their customers.
“We will provide an optimised integrated store management experience based on customised solutions to cater for a range of B2B customers including the self-employed and small business owners.”
For those operating multiple unmanned stores or shared lodgings, Kia PBVs equipped with SmartThings Pro will enable real-time remote management.
Users can also receive notifications about abnormal activity, device failures, and maintenance needs.
Furthermore, the system facilitates automated check-ins and check-outs while optimising energy use when spaces are unoccupied.
The SmartThings Pro offers proactive task management, providing advance notifications for consumable replacements and maintenance tasks based on the PBV’s destination.
Kia PBV division head Sangdae Kim said: “Kia PBVs are designed to be more than just vehicles, they are intelligent business solutions that connect seamlessly with digital ecosystems.
“We anticipate that our business collaboration with Samsung Electronics, leveraging its AI B2B solution SmartThings Pro, will extend the vehicle user experience for our business customers beyond PBVs into the broader IoT ecosystem.
“This partnership is expected to create new opportunities for discovering customer value.”