It was announced today that Kia Motors and Google have formed a new partnership. Google Maps and Places will now be integrated into Kia's in-dash navigation system.
As Venture Beat reports:
The Google services will be integrated into Kia’s UVO eServices navigation, according to the company. (Previously, Kia was partnering with Microsoft for this.) UVO with Google Maps will allow Kia owners to send directions from their mobile devices or the web directly to their vehicle — a useful feature when planning your voyage from afar. You’ll also be able to check out near-by venues and such that are feature through Google Places.
The first Google-integrated UVO Kia car will be the 2014 Sorento, which is expected to be released in the coming months.
"The newest iteration of the UVO platform is a breakthrough as one of the industry’s first mobile pure app-based telematics systems, and now with the Google solutions and APIs, we take the platform to yet another level of enhancement for the Kia customer,” said Henry Bzeih, head of the connected car program and chief technology strategist at Kia Motors.
[via Venture Beat]
