Hyundai owners now have the ability to activate vehicle features with voice commands via Amazon Alexa. Moreover, the company debuted its Autonomous Hyundai Ioniq concept.
Hyundai has added Blue Link to Alexa's ever-growing repertoire of skills. Also, the company has unveiled its array of systems to provide the Hyundai Ioniq proper autonomy.
The connectivity platform Blue Link is available for several of Hyundai's hybrid and electric vehicles. Sadly, only those equipped with second generation Blue Link will be able to connect with Amazon Echo, HybridCars reported.
Among these, are the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in, Ioniq Plug-in and Ioniq Electric.
Taking quick voice requests, Alexa can start the vehicle, adjust the thermostat and charge the battery among other features. However, security concerns require Alexa to ask for the owner's PIN before executing commands.
Furthering striding toward hands-off vehicles, the company presented its autonomous Hyundai Ioniq at the LA Auto Show. There, it found itself alongside several other visions-of-transportation-future.
The self-driving Ioniq uses a mix of sensors to ensure safe operation. It utilizes a LiDAR system, blind spot sensors, adaptive cruise control radar, an array of cameras and a GPS antenna, Cnet reported.
The company went to great lengths to ensure the concept looks almost the same as the standard Ioniq and not some crack-pot science project. Designers cleverly concealed the sensors within the body.
Furthermore, Hyundai is continuing development of its own autonomous operating system. The company is hoping for less computing power than the current requirements, helping lower the price, making the autonomous vehicles affordable for a wide range of consumers.
Hyundai claims that their autonomous vehicles are ready to deal with every challenge, from stoplights to off-leash dogs. A demonstration involving two different Ioniq concepts will be held at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas come January next year.
Hyundai Motors is currently testing five more autonomous vehicles in South Korea. Moreover, the company stated that these are just the beginning.
