Electric Cars

Hyundai is rolling out its innovative Pleos Connect infotainment system, a significant upgrade poised to redefine the in-car experience across its entire vehicle range. This advanced system centralizes vehicle controls and entertainment features onto a sleek 17.0-inch dashboard display, leveraging a customized user interface built upon Google’s Android Auto OS. The introduction of Pleos Connect marks a substantial leap forward in automotive technology, promising enhanced user interaction and a more integrated digital environment for drivers and passengers alike.

During a test drive of the Hyundai Grandeur on a South Korean highway, the focus was squarely on the expansive 17.0-inch screen that housed the new Pleos Connect system. While the vehicle itself is a luxury model specific to the foreign market, the infotainment system is destined for broader implementation. Despite the increased reliance on touch-sensitive controls, transitioning from physical buttons, the system proved remarkably intuitive. The underlying software utilizes Google’s Android Auto architecture, but Hyundai has meticulously developed its own distinct user experience, emphasizing ease of use and streamlined navigation.

The system's fundamental layout bears a resemblance to Tesla's design, featuring an instrument cluster on the left side of the display that provides crucial information such as vehicle speed, gear selection, and fuel or battery levels. A dynamic utility widget at the bottom adapts its icons based on real-time driving conditions. Essential climate controls are conveniently located at the display’s lower edge, with a more comprehensive suite of climate options accessible via a simple upward swipe. Drivers also have the flexibility to customize the menu bar by pinning frequently used applications for quick access.

For those who prefer a more traditional information display, certain models will offer a slim secondary screen positioned in front of the steering wheel, showcasing vital metrics like speed and fuel. Additionally, a large head-up display will be available as an option, providing redundant information projection onto the windshield, thereby enhancing safety and convenience. The user interface designers have ensured consistency through standardized icon sizes and integrated automatic light and dark modes that adjust according to ambient lighting conditions. The overall interaction with Pleos Connect is akin to using a modern smartphone or tablet, becoming progressively more natural with continued use.

Physical controls, though reduced, are still present on a separate dashboard panel, including toggle switches for temperature, volume and tuning knobs, hazard lights, fan speed, and driving mode selection. However, some users might express a preference for a higher number of tactile buttons. A highlight of the Pleos Connect system is the integrated AI assistant, Gleo, which Hyundai claims can interpret complex verbal commands. This functionality is designed to facilitate more natural conversations between the driver and the vehicle, enabling adjustments to settings or navigation requests through voice. For instance, a driver could command Gleo to activate a heated seat and set navigation to a doctor’s office in a single, fluid instruction.

Although the English language capability for Gleo was not yet available during the initial test drive, Hyundai assures that this feature is imminent. The potential of such an advanced AI assistant, drawing parallels to existing conversational chatbots, is highly promising for future automotive interactions. Like other contemporary infotainment systems, Pleos Connect will benefit from continuous refinements and enhancements delivered through over-the-air updates. Hyundai is also establishing an app marketplace, inviting developers to create applications that will run on the Pleos platform, potentially including a diverse range of games, lifestyle tools, and productivity applications.

The platform is designed as an open ecosystem, providing developers with a sandbox environment and access to vehicle APIs for software creation. All applications must undergo Hyundai's review process for safety and data security before being listed in the marketplace. For users who prefer smartphone integration, Pleos Connect offers seamless wireless support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the Korean-market Grandeur sedan already features Pleos Connect, the system is expected to debut in the U.S. in the new Elantra compact sedan and Tucson SUV by the end of the year, with sales commencing shortly thereafter. Furthermore, versions of Pleos are anticipated to integrate into Genesis and Kia models, expanding its reach across the Hyundai Motor Group. The initial experience with the Grandeur revealed no significant bugs or usability concerns, suggesting that Pleos Connect, especially once Gleo gains full English proficiency, is poised for widespread adoption.

Redefining In-Car Interaction with Intuitive Commands

The Fusion of Voice and Gesture for Enhanced Vehicle Control

As modern vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, the challenge lies in making their myriad functions accessible and easy to use. Hyundai's recent patent filing introduces a novel approach: a system that interprets a driver's intent by combining spoken words with physical pointing gestures. This innovative method aims to overcome the limitations of current voice command systems, which often require highly specific verbal instructions, by allowing for more ambiguous commands that are clarified by a corresponding gesture.

Precision and Personalization: How the System Works

The core of this technology lies in its ability to accurately detect and interpret gestures within the vehicle cabin. Utilizing an array of cameras and sensors, the system can monitor hand movements, associating them with the accompanying voice commands. Crucially, it can distinguish between different occupants, identifying which person is issuing the command and focusing on their specific gestures. This capability not only enhances accuracy but also paves the way for personalized control, where the system adapts to individual user preferences and seating positions, potentially including dedicated microphones and controls for passengers.

Beyond the Screen: Interacting with Physical Car Systems

This advanced control mechanism isn't limited to interacting with digital interfaces; it extends to physical components of the vehicle. Imagine simply pointing at a window and saying "open" to activate it, or gesturing towards a dashboard button and asking about its function. Such capabilities could dramatically simplify common tasks, making car interiors more intuitive and less distracting. While the patent does not detail customizable command phrasing, the potential for deep-learning models to understand nuanced requests suggests future possibilities for highly personalized interactions, perhaps even incorporating themed command sets.

The Path from Patent to Production: A Glimpse into the Future

It's important to note that a patent application, while indicative of significant research and development, does not guarantee immediate production. Hyundai has also submitted a similar application in South Korea, underscoring their commitment to this innovative concept. The development of such a system would require extensive testing and refinement to ensure reliability and user acceptance. However, this patent provides an exciting preview of how Hyundai envisions the future of in-car control—a future where interacting with your vehicle feels as natural and effortless as communicating with another person.