2013 CES Automoblog Coverage: Hyundai’s New Infotainment Solutions

31025_1_1

As many automotive enthusiasts await the 2013 North American International Auto Show in the rugged city of Detroit, the exhibition’s promise for providing a bold, new look into the cars, crossover vehicles and trucks has been tempered somewhat by the excitement around an event in Las Vegas. Called the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the showcase for technological innovations focused around computer hardware and software has played nicely into automakers’ effort into demonstrating interactivity options to a changed, connected world.

With Ford and Mercedes-Benz making notable appearances at the show in recent years, South Korean based auto company Hyundai has also appeared at the CES. In the 2013 edition of Las Vegas show, Hyundai is set to show off some advanced technologies ahead of the Detroit show that can greatly enhance the in-car experience inside of a future Sonata or Santa Fe.

Revealing a full array of automotive infotainment solutions Hyundai touts as “next-generation concepts”, the technology has the potential of allowing future owners of the growing automaker’s products to greatly interact with connectivity solutions. The Hyundai exhibit at CES 2013 involves a preview of new hardware such as multi-touch displays, Bluetooth 3.0 as well as wireless communications through 3G and Wi-Fi. Cloud-based Internet radio through Aha by Harman, Pandora, SiriusXM and HD radio functions will offer abundant entertainment choices. Hyundai’s newest in-car infotainment equipment showcased at 2013 CES has the promise of Dragon Drive control. Utilizing speech recognition software supplied by Nuance, Dragon Drive is targeted to deliver a fluid operations of navigational and entertainment technology by voice command. Last week, ahead of the 2013 CES show, the incorporation of Google Maps navigation functionality was announced by Hyundai as a future addition to the car company’s infotainment array.

Hyundai has also crafted solutions for integrating smart devices called Eyes Free Mode and Mobile High-Definition Link. One is designed to win over Apple product users while another will cater to holders of Sony, LG and most importantly Samsung devices. Working off recent Apple iPhone devices and other products running the IOS 6 software, Eyes Free Mode allow motorists to interact with speech-initiated electronic assistant Siri. Eyes Free Mode is meant to facilitate interaction with an Apple device without drawing a driver’s eyes away from the road. Similar technology is also said to be included on the Chevrolet Spark and other Chevy MyLink vehicles in the future.

Assisting users of devices primarily sourced from fellow South Korean company Samsung, Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) is a multitasking piece of technology planned for inclusion on future Hyundai products. A connector technology originally introduced at the CES event in 2008, MHL can support 1080P HD video or up to eight channels of audio while also charging the portable device.

Displaying the benefit of their new infotainment solutions collection at the January show, Hyundai has not pinpointed the production dates when the technology will be found on the brand’s vehicles.

Information and photo source: Hyundai Motor America