Samsung Electronics has announced a partnership with Kia Corporation to integrate SmartThings Pro, Samsung’s B2B management solution, into Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicles [PBVs]. This agreement, signed at Kia EV Day in Spain, builds on the strategic technology partnership established last September with Hyundai Motor and Kia.
The collaboration enhances business mobility by offering efficient energy savings and seamless space management across various facilities from stores to office buildings. Chanwoo Park, Executive Vice President at Samsung’s B2B Integrated Offering Center, and Sangdae Kim, Head of Kia’s PBV Division, attended the signing ceremony.
Smart, Connected Business Solutions
“By integrating SmartThings Pro into Kia PBVs, we’re introducing an intelligent way for businesses to stay connected with customers,” said Chanwoo Park. “Our goal is to provide a streamlined store management experience tailored for B2B customers, including small business owners and the self-employed.”
With SmartThings Pro, B2B customers can link their Kia PBVs to business spaces, automating routine operations to enhance efficiency. Small business owners can control air conditioning, digital signage, and home appliances from their vehicles, simplifying store management.
For businesses managing multiple locations remotely, Kia PBVs offer real-time control. Owners of unmanned stores or shared lodgings can receive alerts on abnormal activity, device failures, or maintenance needs, ensuring smooth operations. SmartThings Pro also optimizes energy usage, preventing waste when spaces are unoccupied.
Efficiency for Mobile Businesses
SmartThings Pro enhances mobile business operations like food trucks, where setup is time-consuming. The system automates tasks such as signage, lighting, cash registers, and kitchen appliances, allowing operators to manage everything at the push of a button.
Additionally, SmartThings Pro provides advance notifications for on-site tasks, such as maintenance or consumable replacements, helping businesses run more smoothly.
“Kia PBVs are more than just vehicles they are intelligent business solutions that integrate seamlessly with digital ecosystems,” said Sangdae Kim. “This partnership with Samsung Electronics and its AI-powered SmartThings Pro will extend the business user experience beyond vehicles into the broader IoT ecosystem, unlocking new customer value.”
By combining Kia’s innovative PBVs with Samsung’s SmartThings Pro, this partnership paves the way for a smarter, more connected future for business mobility.
