The event marked Hyundai’s shift toward becoming a mobility tech company, sharing progress on software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and its vision for a connected mobility experience. Chang Song, President of Hyundai and Kia’s Advanced Vehicle Platform Division, formally announced Pleos, emphasizing its role in linking vehicles, fleets, infrastructure, and cities through software.
At the event, global partners, including Samsung, Google, and Uber, discussed collaborations on smart home integration, AI-driven navigation, and autonomous mobility. Hyundai also outlined plans to implement Level 2+ autonomous driving by 2027. Pleos Connect, Hyundai’s next-gen infotainment system, is set to launch in 2026, with expansion to 20 million vehicles by 2030.
Hyundai Unveils Pleos:
Pleos integrates high-performance chips, cloud infrastructure, a vehicle OS, fleet management, and an infotainment system (Pleos Connect). It enables smart mobility functions like autonomous driving, real-time data analysis, and optimized routing. Hyundai also introduced Pleos Playground, an open platform for third-party app development, and the Next Urban Mobility Alliance (NUMA), which aims to create cloud-based, autonomous transport solutions.
Pleos — a comprehensive software ecosystem that blends cutting-edge vehicle operating systems with next-generation infotainment platforms, offering an unprecedented level of flexibility and connectivity. The name Pleos, a combination of the Greek word Pleo (meaning “more”) and “OS” for operating system, encapsulates Hyundai’s vision to add meaningful, user-centric value to the movement of people and objects.
Advancing Toward Software-Defined Vehicles
To realize a software-centered mobility environment, Hyundai is developing software-defined vehicles (SDVs) by revolutionizing its electrical and electronic (E&E) architecture. Central to this vision is Hyundai’s proprietary vehicle operating system and Pleos Connect, enabling cars to function as adaptable software platforms. These advancements bolster seamless connectivity between vehicles and surrounding infrastructure while allowing for continuous updates and functional expansions by decoupling hardware from software.
Key Innovations in Hyundai’s Vehicle OS
Hyundai’s in-house-developed vehicle control operating system introduces a modular, standardized architecture that integrates high-performance vehicle computers (HPVC) with zone-specific controllers, enhancing overall system performance and stability. Designed for software-defined operations, this OS enables continuous functional updates, allowing vehicles to remain future-proof through over-the-air improvements.
Introducing Pleos Connect: A Smarter Infotainment Ecosystem
Pleos Connect, built on Android Automotive OS (AAOS), redefines in-vehicle infotainment with unparalleled openness and scalability. Featuring a smartphone-like interface with multi-window functionality and AI-powered voice recognition through Gleo AI, the system seamlessly integrates mobile applications, offering a familiar yet highly personalized user experience. Equipped with Pleos ID, a unified user profile, drivers can access their preferences across any Pleos Connect-enabled vehicle. Set for its debut in Q2 2026, Pleos Connect aims to expand to over 20 million vehicles by 2030.
Empowering Developers with Pleos Playground
Pleos Playground serves as an open development platform that empowers third-party developers to contribute to the in-vehicle app ecosystem. Developers gain access to essential software development kits (SDKs), APIs, design guides, and sample codes, with the ability to distribute applications through the App Market, mirroring the mobile app experience. The platform supports Plug & Play (PnP) technology, enabling direct integration of external hardware into vehicles, driving innovation in automotive accessories and expanding the connected vehicle ecosystem.
At Pleos 25, Hyundai introduced the Next Urban Mobility Alliance (NUMA), a groundbreaking public-private partnership designed to connect and optimize urban transit through a cloud-based framework. NUMA aims to address pressing societal challenges such as mobility equity, regional depopulation, and climate change by enhancing freedom of movement through innovative mobility solutions.
NUMA’s Collaborative Pillars:
- Freedom to Move:
Shucle, a demand-responsive transport (DRT) platform, addresses mobility gaps in underserved areas. Supported by mobility devices like the R1 and Nano Mobility, these solutions provide inclusive transit options for disadvantaged populations. - Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem:
Hyundai’s Autonomous Vehicle Foundry (AVF) supplies electric vehicles with autonomous driving technologies to global mobility providers. With development kits, fleet management tools, and certification support, AVF aims to scale autonomous mobility worldwide. Uber’s Noah Zych announced plans to expand robotaxi services through AVF, enhancing global collaboration on autonomous technologies. - In-Vehicle Application Ecosystem:
Key partners, including Samsung, Google, Naver, SOCAR, and Unity, announced initiatives to enhance user experiences by integrating smart home connectivity, AI-powered content, car-sharing features, and immersive in-vehicle entertainment. Samsung’s SmartThings will link SDVs with smart homes, while Google’s AAOS will strengthen AI-based navigation. SOCAR and Naver aim to personalize car-sharing and infotainment experiences, while Unity introduces real-time 3D rendering for an enriched visual interface.
Roadmap to Level 2+ Autonomous Driving
Hyundai Motor Group is targeting the deployment of Level 2+ (L2+) autonomous driving technology by 2027. This advanced system will integrate AI-powered decision-making using cameras and radars to enhance safety and operational precision. By leveraging vehicle-optimized neural processing units (NPUs) and large-scale AI training infrastructure, Hyundai aims to transform its vehicles into self-learning, continuously evolving systems that redefine autonomous mobility.
Highlights from Pleos 25: Showcasing a Connected Future
Pleos 25 served as a global platform for developers and industry leaders to explore Hyundai’s SDV ecosystem and engage with next-gen technologies. The event featured specialized zones and sessions, including:
- SDV Zone: Core SDV technologies, testbed vehicles, and Pleos Connect user experiences.
- Pleos Connect Apps Zone: Over 26 partners showcased in-vehicle applications and explored expansion possibilities within the app ecosystem.
- Cloud Mobility Zone: Demonstrations of real-time urban mobility operating systems leveraging Hyundai’s Fleet Management System (FMS) and Transportation Management System (TMS).
- Track and Hands-On Sessions: 24 presentation rounds focused on SDV development and data utilization, along with hands-on training in creating and deploying in-vehicle apps using Pleos SDKs and APIs.
A Future Defined by Software and Seamless Connectivity
As Hyundai accelerates its Software-Defined Everything (SDx) strategy, the company envisions a future where mobility solutions, services, and devices are universally connected. Through Pleos and its associated platforms, Hyundai aims to create an ecosystem where mobility is intuitive, seamless, and accessible to all, ushering in a new era of intelligent transportation.