The all-in-one infotainment system are apparently the new trend in auto industry, as each one of them are coming up with one these days. Rivaling GM’s Onstar and Ford’s SyNC, Hyundai revealed a similar system called Blue Link at 2011 CES. But this being Hyundai, they’ve included lots more features.
The Blue Link comes with the usual connectivity features that offer consumers seamless connection between the office, home, smart phone and automobile with fast and reliable IT technology, but there’s more to it. For instance it has an ‘Eco-Coach’ mode that tracks driver’s performance, urges greener operation.
It also includes OnStar-like safety and security systems like roadside assistance and vehicle recovery. Blue Link will let Hyundai owners start their car remotely, will call emergency services if the driver cannot, will share vehicle location on social-network sites and will let drivers browse the Web, text and e-mail in a non-distracting manner. Blue Link will even let parents monitor how far and how fast their teens are driving when they borrow the Hyundai.
Hyundai Blue Link will become first available in US on the Sonata and the upcoming Veloster models.
“Automobiles are evolving rapidly, equipped with not only the latest powertrain technologies, but with advanced electronics, IT and software to satisfy drivers’ emotional needs,” said Woong-Chul Yang, President at Hyundai Motor’s R&D Center. “Hyundai will focus on securing state-of-the-art IT and automobile convergence technologies to become an industry leader.”
Blue Link will be available in the U.S. starting with the Sonata and Veloster three-door utility coupe later this year and will gradually be offered in other regions.
The 2011 CES, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 6~9, is known as the world’s largest consumer technology trade show. Thousands of leading IT, electronics and related companies showcase their cutting-edge technologies. Hyundai Motor is one of only four automakers to participate in this year’s show.
At Hyundai’s booth, the company displayed its all-new Sonata Hybrid equipped with Blue Link®, as well as its concept car Nuvis (HCD 11), giving visitors a sneak preview of Hyundai’s next-generation technology and car designs.
Hyundai also displayed six concept in-car technologies: The Smart Connectivity System, which allows drivers to connect their smart phones and tablet PCs with the vehicle; the Motion Sensor Moustick, which recognizes the driver’s hand movements through sensors to control the car’s audio and navigation system; Intelligent Haptic System, a control system inspired by popular consumer technology; Dynamic Cluster, an LCD gauge and information system that is driver-customizable; Car Browser System and Web Platform, a fully functional Internet terminal; and Multifunctional Safety Vision System, a four-camera, 360-degree view around the vehicle.
Many of these technologies were developed at the Automotive IT Innovation Center (AIIC), which was established near Seoul in 2008 by the Hyundai Motor Group, Microsoft Corp. and Korea’s National IT Technology Promotion Agency (NIPA) to develop IT products and services for automotive application.
Hyundai plans to strengthen its research and development in automotive IT technology through cooperative organizations such as the AIIC to raise its future brand competitiveness.
