Clever thinking for Kia’s motorists

KIA has announced plans to enhance its UVO Connect infotainment and smartphone services with a host of clever new functions.

The Korean car maker says the “Phase II” features will be rolled out across its model line-up in the months ahead, helping to take the stress out of journeys.

Benefits include more accurate journey times, “last-mile” navigation assistance and better connectivity and usability. The latest offerings can be accessed through an improved UVO smartphone app or via vehicles’ on-board infotainment systems.

A new Online Navigation system draws on cloud-based real-time and historical traffic data to more accurately predict estimated times of arrival.

Last Mile Navigation helps customers get to their destinations on foot once they’ve parked up, with the app giving access to Google Maps for directions. Alternatively, users can opt for AR Guidance, which opens the smartphone’s camera and blends the image with augmented reality turn-by-turn directional arrows.

The system is activated once the vehicle’s ignition has been turned off and can be used for addresses between 200 metres and two kilometres away.

Customers can also enjoy a new User Profile Transfer feature on the UVO app. This enables them to check and change their vehicle settings directly from their smartphone, including navigation, radio and Bluetooth preferences, when it suits them.

Once the ignition is turned on, customers are automatically greeted with their preferred settings, saving time and making journeys more pleasurable.

Kia Live Services will draw on data from a range of specialist providers for traffic information, parking availability and cost, locations and pricing for fuel stations and EV charging points, weather forecasts, points of interest and speed camera information.

Kia UVO Connected boss Pablo Martinez Masip said: “We strive to introduce technologies that make life behind the wheel easier and more intuitive for our customers.”