"Smart Vehicle Control" Kakao Mobility Launches 'Connected Car' Service

Kakao Mobility announced on the 24th that it will launch a 'Connected Car' service capable of vehicle control and driver assistance through wireless networks.

Kakao Mobility's first Connected Car service was planned based on the third-party app developer public application programming interface (API) provided by Tesla. Through this, Tesla owners using the Kakao Navi app can experience various integration features specialized for vehicles of that brand, such as remote vehicle control and information guidance.

Kakao Mobility Connect Car Service

To use the service, users must first verify vehicle ownership in the Kakao T or Kakao Navi app, then allow access to their Tesla account. Once completed, the Connected Car service can be accessed through the 'My Car Management' tab within the Kakao Navi app.

Kakao Mobility offers various features through the Connected Car service. These include 'Afterblow,' which dries the air conditioner's moisture after parking using the climate control function; 'Destination Sync,' which automatically shares the destination from Kakao Navi to the Tesla vehicle's navigation system; 'Charging Station Recommendation,' which suggests optimal charging stations along the route based on real-time driving range; and 'Vehicle Control and Information Provision' functions such as operating heating and cooling systems, flashers, horn, and checking battery status.

For example, if a user searches for a destination and checks the estimated time in Kakao Navi before moving the vehicle, the destination information is automatically sent to the Tesla vehicle's navigation system, allowing immediate route guidance upon boarding. The maximum heating or cooling function can be activated in advance before entering the vehicle, and appropriate charging stations can be guided along the route based on the remaining battery level to reach the destination.

Kim Jae-hyun, Executive Director of the Car Owner Business Division at Kakao Mobility, said, "We expect that connecting Kakao Mobility's services with vehicles will create new customer value in various areas such as driving, charging, maintenance, and insurance." He added, "We plan to enhance driver convenience and provide differentiated mobility experiences through various Connected Car services in the future."