Smartwatch sales are skyrocketing and starting early in 2015 Hyundai owners will be able to connect with their cars using these wearable devices and the Hyundai Blue Link smartwatch app.
[ads id=”0″ style=”float:left;padding:9px;”] Hyundai will debut and demonstrate the Blue Link smartwatch app at Pepcom’s Digital Experience and at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Pepcom’s Digital Experience takes place before CES on Jan. 5 and Hyundai’s exhibit (North Hall, booth #2818) at CES will be open Jan. 6-9, 2015.
Hyundai’s cloud-based Blue Link platform allows features like remote start and service information to be quickly accessed through devices like smartwatches and smartphones. Hyundai partnered with Station Digital Media to develop the Blue Link smartwatch app.
“This new app expands Hyundai’s exploration into how wearable technology and Blue Link fit into a customer’s lifestyle,” said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director, customer connect and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. “Connecting to your car through a smartwatch and voice recognition was previously something seen only in science fiction movies. Now, we can provide this capability to owners of Hyundai vehicles equipped with Blue Link.”
The app is easy to use. The wearer simply taps an icon or uses voice commands to execute remote functions. The Blue Link smartwatch app allows Hyundai owners to remote start, lock and unlock doors as well as find their car in a crowded parking lot. Pushing the microphone icon on the watch activates the voice function, where the driver can execute commands such as “Start my car,” “Lock my car” or “Find my car.”
The Blue Link smartwatch app must be paired via Bluetooth to an owner’s smartphone that contains the Blue Link mobile app. Remote functions can then be executed from almost anywhere in the U.S. as long as the user’s smartphone has a Bluetooth and cellular or Internet connection. Hyundai representatives will be demonstrating the Blue Link smartwatch app on Samsung, Motorola, Sony and LG smartwatches. Android Wear users can download the app from Google Play for free starting in the first quarter of 2015.
The Blue Link smartwatch app works with first and next generation Blue Link equipped Hyundai models. The first generation Blue Link system rolled out on the 2012 Sonata and expanded across the lineup through 2013. Next generation Blue Link equipped models include the 2015 Genesis, Sonata and Azera. The smartwatch app provides all Blue Link users, including first generation owners, with even more freedom of choice when interacting with their Hyundai.
Blue Link Smartwatch features (all voice activated):
- Remote Engine Start
- Remote Engine Stop (Only available when vehicle is in remote engine start mode)
- Remote Door Lock / Unlock
- Remote Flash Lights / Honk Horn
- Car Finder
- Call Roadside
- Call Blue Link
- Hyundai Blue Link Smartwatch App
NEXT GENERATION BLUE LINK AND THE 2016 ELANTRA GT AND VELOSTER
The next generation Blue Link system featuring a destination search powered by Google continues to add new capabilities and is being applied to additional Hyundai vehicles. Recently introduced features such as maintenance alerts and the Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app will debut on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT and Hyundai Veloster in 2015.
