Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/712794
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 JULY 2016 Motoring V Volkswagen, LG in joint development of an innovative connected car platform THE Volkswagen Group and LG Electronics have signed a memo- randum of understanding on joint research and development of a next-generation connected car service platform. Going forward, the two compa- nies will work together on Volk- swagen's Cross-Over-Platform, which is aimed at enhanced vehi- cle connectivity and convenience. Using the latest in cloud technol- ogy, it will offer drivers seam- less digital access to extensive features such as smart home and location-based services. Over the coming years, the two companies will be concentrating on: • Developing technologies that bring together the con- nected car and the smart home so that drivers are able to control and moni- tor smart devices in their homes — such as lights, security systems and do- mestic appliances — from out on the road. • Developing a context-sen- sitive notification centre that can deliver messages in an intuitive and safe manner and provide optimised rec- ommendations to the driver in real time. • Developing next-generation infotainment technology for connected cars. Key LG Electronics executives present at the signing at Volk- swagen Group headquarters included Richard Choi, Head of LG Cloud Center, and Lee Sang-yong, Head of LG Vehicle Infotainment System Research Lab. Representing Volkswa- gen were Prof. Thomas Form, Head of Electronics and Vehicle Research, and Robert Kattner, Head of Vehicle Information Systems, both of the Group Research Division. "Volkswagen is pressing on with the digitalisation of its brands. Our focus in doing so is always on our customers. For them, comfort, safety and energy ef- ficiency play a central role. LG is a strong, reliable partner in the implementation of new features and one of the drivers of innova- tion in the networked household. We look forward to working with LG and to developing in future simple, easy-to-use smart home solutions for our customers inte- grated into our vehicle systems," said Form at the official signing of the agreement. "LG Electronics and Volkswa- gen are teaming up to develop the next generation of connected car platform that allows wide integration with smart home ser- vices and adoption of open IoT connectivity technologies," said Richard Choi. "We think LG's expertise in smart technology together with Volkswagen's lead- ership in the automotive sector will revolutionise the way drivers interact with their vehicles." This agreement is an example of the long-standing relationship that LG and Volkswagen have developed over the years. LG was one of the first electronics companies to commit itself to the automotive industry. It has been supplying audio-visual products for vehicles since 2007, estab- lishing a reputation for reliability and technological innovation. In March in 2015, Volkswagen subsidiary Italdesign Guigiaro unveiled its GEA concept car at the Geneva Motor Show with seven key components supplied by LG Electronics, including the holographic display, connected smart watch, tail lights and rear camera. In July, LG was selected as Volkswagen's strategic elec- tronics supplier and also listed as a partner company on its FAST (Future Automotive Supply Tracks) programme. At CES ear- lier this year, the two companies attracted great attention show- casing a smart home system that could be controlled remotely from the vehicle.