Hyundai Unveils Pleos: Next-Gen Software for Connected Vehicles
Seoul, South Korea - Hyundai Motor Group unveiled its new mobility software brand "Pleos" on Friday at a developer conference in Seoul, outlining plans for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and expanding partnerships with global technology companies.
The South Korean automaker announced that Pleos Connect, its next-generation infotainment system based on Android Automotive OS, will launch in the second quarter of 2026 and be implemented in more than 20 million vehicles by 2030.
Chang Song, President and Head of Hyundai Motor and Kia's Advanced Vehicle Platform Division, said during the Pleos 25 conference that the company aims to achieve "Cloud Mobility," connecting all mobility forms through continuously evolving cloud-based software.
Hyundai Motor Group introduced its proprietary vehicle operating system, which utilizes electrical and electronic architecture.
It combines high-performance vehicle computers with zone-specific controllers to enhance SDV performance and scalability.
The company also launched Pleos Playground, an open development platform that allows third-party developers to access automotive software endpoints for vehicle control and app development.
The platform provides software development kits, design guides, application programming interfaces, and sample codes to facilitate the diversification of the in-vehicle app ecosystem.
Additionally, Hyundai announced the "Next Urban Mobility Alliance" (NUMA), a public-private partnership framework focused on connecting and optimizing movements in autonomous transportation environments to address social issues including mobility rights, regional depopulation, and climate concerns.
The automaker revealed plans to implement Level 2+ autonomous driving by the end of 2027.
This system will recognize vehicle surroundings through cameras and radars and make complex decisions based on artificial intelligence deep learning structures.
Several global technology companies participated in the conference to announce collaborations with Hyundai.
Google will work on integrating Android Automotive OS with Google services to enhance in-vehicle user experiences.
Uber plans to expand robotaxi services through Hyundai's Autonomous Vehicle Foundry initiative.
Samsung Electronics announced the integration of Hyundai's SDV vehicles with smart homes and mobile devices via SmartThings.
Naver outlined plans to optimize AI, search, map, and content services for the SDV environment.
SOCAR proposed enhancing car-sharing convenience through the SDV platform, while Unity highlighted the expansion of in-vehicle games and content experiences.
The Pleos 25 conference featured demonstration zones showcasing SDV technologies, in-vehicle applications from 26 partner companies, and urban mobility solutions based on real-time data systems.
Through its "software-defined everything" strategy, Hyundai Motor Group plans to continuously connect mobility solutions, services, and devices to enhance freedom of movement.