A Hyundai car on display at a showroom in Seoul, South Korea. Photo provided by: JEON HEON-KYUN/EPA
April 30th (Asia Today) — Hyundai Motor Group has officially begun mass production of its software-defined vehicle (SDV) strategy and unveiled the next-generation infotainment system “Pleos Connect” equipped with an AI voice assistant that can even understand local dialects.
The new system integrates large-scale language model (LLM)-based AI, an open app ecosystem, and over-the-air (OTA) updates to transform the vehicle into a digital platform. This represents the first concrete results of the Group’s SDV transition strategy.
At the core of Pleos Connect is Gleo AI, an agent AI inspired by Galileo Galilei. Built on LLM technology, the system goes beyond simple command execution to understand user intent and conversation context.
It can process multiple commands simultaneously and interpret abstract expressions such as “there” based on prior interactions. The system also recognizes the seat position, allowing it to issue personalized commands, such as activating heated seats only for the person speaking.
Hyundai officials explained that AI can actively control vehicle functions based on real-time conditions, suggesting a shift from SDV to AIDV (AI-Defined Vehicle).
The platform also introduces an open in-car app marketplace, allowing users to access services such as YouTube, Spotify and navigation apps directly from their car’s display.
Hyundai plans to launch the service in May and gradually expand it to include games, vehicle management features, and more. External developers will be able to build apps using the vehicle API through the Pleos Playground platform.
This is in line with Executive Chairman Euisun Chung’s vision to expand the in-car experience, including making games available in the car.
Compared to previous ccNC systems, Pleos Connect has a more intuitive and simplified user experience. A large central display makes navigation easy, and a slim driver display provides important driving information without moving your eyes.
The interface minimizes the use of color, focuses on important features, and reflects user data that shows most drivers rarely change default settings.
Pleos Connect will be installed for the first time in the facelifted model “Grandeur” scheduled to be released next month, and the company plans to expand the number to 20 million units by 2030.
Hyundai also plans to introduce an SDV “Smart Pace Car” later this year to validate the technology in real-world conditions, while accelerating self-driving development through partnerships with global high-tech companies.
The company emphasized that the platform represents a transition from simply selling vehicles to designing the entire mobility experience for customers.
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