CUSTOMERS of Kia and Hyundai will be in line for a major change in connectivity following a strategic partnership with Vodafone.

The pan-European deal will see the provision of fully-connected in-car infotainment and connected car services across the UK and Europe.

Expect to see a new fully connected infotainment system on new Kia and Hyundai models from 2019 using Vodafone’s IoT network.

The new infotainment system will launch on selected new Kia and Hyundai models in Europe from 2019.

The system relies on embedded connectivity provided by Vodafone to make life easier for vehicle owners.

The services include up-to-the-minute traffic information, parking and location services, vehicle diagnostics, and voice control. The system works in parallel with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to deliver seamless smartphone integration, and access to users’ favourite apps.

5G is already being talked about as the ‘fuel of the future’ – providing the ability for cars, and autonomous cars, to ‘talk’ to each other constantly with the potential to eliminate congestion in cities.

Vodafone says the main benefits of 5G are its speed, lower latency (speed of response) and much greater capacity for increased stability.

Jungsik Suh, Senior Vice President of ICT Division at Hyundai Motor Group, said:

“This strategic partnership will enable us to offer many more drivers maximum connectivity at the wheel, supported by a comprehensive European data network.

“The system will launch across Europe next year with the arrival of upcoming Hyundai and Kia models, meaning customers will have the most accurate and relevant information at their fingertips.”

The first Smart City Mobility Centre using 5G connectivity will be based in the UK at the University of Warwick’s Wellesbourne campus. Driverless vehicle testing is set to be carried out on the University of Warwick’s campus in Coventry and Warwickshire.