Samsung SmartThings Pro Experience Zone at Kia EV Day Event (Image provided by Samsung Electronics)
Tarragona, Spain, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — Kia and Samsung Electronics have announced a strategic partnership to integrate Samsung’s AI-powered Internet of Things (IoT) platform, SmartThings Pro, into Kia’s purpose-built vehicles (PBVs).
The collaboration, unveiled at the 2025 Kia EV Day event in Tarragona, Spain, on February 24, aims to enhance business automation for commercial vehicle operators.
Under the agreement, Kia will integrate SmartThings Pro with its PBV lineup, starting with the PV5 model. This will allow business owners to remotely control Samsung smart appliances and monitor store operations directly from their vehicles via the in-vehicle infotainment system (IVI) or tablet devices.
Controlling Kia’s Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV) Using Samsung SmartThings Pro (Image provided by Samsung Electronics)
Automated Business Operations on the Move
The partnership is set to transform business mobility by enabling seamless connectivity between vehicles and commercial operations. Business owners operating unmanned cafés, laundromats, or retail stores can activate pre-set workflows.
For example, when a store owner commutes to their shop in a PBV, a “work mode” can be triggered, automatically turning on air conditioning, signage, and other essential appliances before arrival. Additionally, SmartThings Pro will provide inventory updates and maintenance alerts, allowing business owners to manage their operations remotely.
Similarly, when leaving the premises, a “closing mode” will deactivate store appliances, optimize energy consumption, and enable security monitoring. The system also provides real-time notifications for security breaches or equipment malfunctions when stores are unattended.
Unmanned guesthouse operators will benefit from remote management features, allowing them to verify check-ins, unlock guest rooms, and oversee security from their PBV.
In another scenario, a bakery owner driving to a wholesale market can activate a “supply mode” that pre-adjusts the PBV’s refrigeration system for transporting fresh ingredients.
Keynote Speech Introducing Kia’s First Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV) ‘PV5’ at 2025 Kia EV Day in Tarragona, Spain, on February 24 (Yonhap)
Future Expansion of PBV-IoT Ecosystem
The service is expected to launch in mid-2026 following proof-of-concept (PoC) validation. According to Kim Sang-dae, Vice President of Kia’s PBV Business Division, “This collaboration with Samsung will extend the PBV user experience beyond the vehicle, integrating it into the IoT ecosystem and creating new value for business customers.”
Samsung Electronics also emphasized the business benefits of the partnership. “With SmartThings Pro, B2B customers will gain centralized control over both their stores and vehicles,” said Park Chan-woo, Vice President of Samsung’s B2B Integrated Offering Center. “Through this collaboration, we aim to expand AI-driven B2B solutions with Kia’s expertise in mobility.”
Kia and Samsung plan to expand their collaboration by developing IoT products tailored to PBVs and B2B enterprises, creating bundled solutions to attract global business customers.
This initiative follows a 2024 agreement between Hyundai Motor Group, Kia, and Samsung to integrate SmartThings into personal vehicles, now extending the technology to commercial fleet operations.
By merging AI-powered IoT with smart mobility, Kia and Samsung are poised to redefine business automation and connectivity in the commercial vehicle sector.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
