Samsung Electronics has partnered with Hyundai Motor and Kia to launch the 'Car-to-Home' service, which allows users to control home appliances from inside a vehicle. Following the existing 'Home-to-Car' service, which enables vehicle control from home, the addition of the ability to control living spaces from the vehicle establishes a structure that links mobility and living spaces into a single, interconnected environment.

According to Samsung Electronics, this service will be available starting on the 23rd. Customers using Hyundai Motor and Kia’s BlueLink or Kia Connect can use the feature after linking their accounts by scanning a QR code in the SmartThings app installed on the vehicle’s infotainment system. The service will initially be available for Hyundai Motor and Kia models equipped with the CCNC infotainment platform that have been mass-produced since November 2022, and will be expanded through sequential software updates in the future.

The core of the technology lies in connecting Samsung Electronics' smart home platform, SmartThings, to the vehicle system. This allows drivers to directly remotely control home appliances such as air conditioners, air purifiers, robot vacuums, and lighting from the in-car screen. Supported devices start with some air conditioners manufactured after 2021 and some air purifiers and robot vacuums manufactured after 2024. Beyond simple on/off control, it is also possible to automatically execute pre-set routines based on vehicle location information.

For example, when the vehicle approaches the house, 'Home Mode' activates, allowing the air purifier to manage indoor air quality and the lights to turn on, and during hot weather, the air conditioner can be turned on in advance to lower the indoor temperature. Conversely, when the vehicle moves away from the house, 'Away Mode' is activated, turning off lights and unnecessary appliances and operating a robot vacuum cleaner. In essence, the car functions as a control hub for lifestyle automation, going beyond being a simple means of transportation.

In terms of applicable industries, this service is situated at the intersection of home appliances, automobiles, connected cars, and smart home platforms. Consumers can directly control household devices within the vehicle's infotainment environment, while manufacturers can expand the user experience by combining mobility and residential services. While the Home-to-Car service launched last year focused on checking vehicle status, climate control, starting the engine, locking and unlocking doors, and controlling electric vehicle charging, Car-to-Home is significant in that it extends the scope of connectivity into the home.

This collaboration aligns with the growing trend of smart home and software-centric vehicle ecosystems expanding their intersections. This is because services are evolving beyond the integration of individual devices to operate based on the user's location and movement context. As attempts to link vehicles and homes into a single, continuous user environment rather than separate spaces gain momentum, the next key point to watch in the market is expected to be how far the range of compatible vehicle models and connected home appliances expands in the future.