South Korean consumer Electronics company, LG Electronics, and German auto major, Volkswagen AG, have announced the signing of an agreement to carry out joint research on a next-generation connected car platform with a view towards developing a cloud-based solution that will allow automobiles to communicate with various electronic gadgets and devices around them. According to the press release, LG and Volkswagen will partner to work on the German automaker’s Cross-Over-Platform, helping the company’s vehicles sync with smart homes with the help of location-based services. The agreement was signed at the Volkswagen Group headquarters in the German city of Wolfsburg and was attended by key functionaries from the two companies, including Mr. Richard Choi, Head of LG Cloud Center, and Prof. Thomas Form, Head of Electronics and Vehicle Research at VW.
As part of the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed between the two parties, they’ll together develop technologies that will help drivers of connected cars remotely monitor and control certain aspects of their smart homes, such as security systems, domestic appliances, lights and thermostats from within their vehicles while on the road. The two companies will reportedly also look to develop what’s being described as a “context-sensitive notification center” that will be capable of delivering messages to drivers in a manner that won’t distract them from the road ahead. Such messages, among other things, will include optimized recommendations in real time. The joint R&D will also focus on developing an all-new infotainment system for next-generation smart vehicles.
Speaking on the occasion, executives from both companies expressed satisfaction at the deal, with Prof. Form describing LG as a “strong, reliable partner in the implementation of new features and one of the drivers of innovation in the networked household”. He also expressed hope that the partnership between the two firms would result in the development of “simple, easy-to-use smart home solutions for our customers integrated into our vehicle systems”. Meanwhile, Mr. Choi said that he believed, “LG’s expertise in smart technology together with Volkswagen’s leadership in the automotive sector will revolutionize the way drivers interact with their vehicles”.
Many tech companies have been tying up with automakers recently in an order to address the growing market for smart automobiles that can connect remotely with other smart gadgets around us for everything ranging from entertainment to security. While Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay have been the pioneers in this regard, other companies are also making a push to come out with their own solutions to grab a share of the market, even though adoption of such smart in-car systems remain somewhat muted as of now.