Hyundai and Kia Open Software Development to External Engineers
Hyundai Motor Group is expanding its software-driven vehicle (SDV) strategy by opening its vehicle application development platform to external developers, university students, and startups, apple-economy.com reported. The automaker launched an app development contest accepting entries to integrate third-party services into actual vehicle environments using its Pleos Playground platform software development kits (SDKs) and application programming interfaces (APIs).
The push to decentralize vehicle software development replaces traditional, closed automotive electronic architectures. By inviting external creators to build applications using Pleos SDKs and APIs, Hyundai and Kia aim to replicate the open app ecosystems found in consumer smartphones. Participants in the newly expanded hackathon format will design and test services that run directly on vehicle hardware, targeting a broader range of in-cabin digital experiences.
Namyang Research Center Tests Internal Prototypes
Alongside the external developer outreach, Hyundai and Kia are overhauling research methodologies within internal teams. The 17th annual Idea Festival at the Namyang Research Center featured six prototype projects built by company researchers. Demonstrations included spatial utilization devices, smart glasses designed to aid visually impaired pedestrians, and artificial intelligence-driven infant monitoring systems.
This year’s internal competition added a Pleos-based app development hackathon category. The addition yielded projects like an interactive children’s audio fairy tale application. These trials point to a broader effort across engineering divisions to transition technical personnel from purely hardware-focused manufacturing toward software and artificial intelligence capabilities.
To feed this software shift, Hyundai and Kia opened recruitment for the ninth cohort of their zero-cost, employment-linked Softteer Bootcamp. The program focuses on backend engineering, data architecture, and service planning. Participants learn practical AI tool utilization directly from working engineers through one-on-one mentoring, with successful graduates advancing to final employment interviews.
What software and projects define the app contest?
What software platform do developers use in the Hyundai and Kia app contest?
Participants use the Pleos Playground platform, which provides specific software development kits and application programming interfaces designed for vehicle environments.
What specific projects were showcased at the Namyang Research Center Idea Festival?
Researchers demonstrated spatial utilization devices, smart glasses for visually impaired pedestrians, AI-based infant monitoring technology, and an interactive children’s audio fairy tale application.
What skill tracks are emphasized in the ninth cohort of the Softteer Bootcamp?
The training program focuses on backend engineering, data architecture, and service planning, with an emphasis on hands-on AI tool usage.