SEOUL, 29th March 2025
Hyundai Motor Group has solidified its strategy to launch its new mobility software brand, “Pleos,” in over 20 million vehicles by the year 2030.
The name “Pleos” is derived from the Greek term “Pleo,” which translates to “more,” combined with “OS” for “operating system.” This reflects the company’s ambition to enhance mobility through technological advancements.
The South Korean conglomerate has detailed its plans to shift its business model towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and cloud-based mobility solutions. The Pleos Connect platform is set to debut in the second quarter of 2026, built on the Android Automotive OS, which will facilitate improved integration with mobile applications and third-party developers.
During a recent developer conference in Seoul, Chang Song, President and Head of Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Advanced Vehicle Platform Division, emphasized in his keynote address, “Our ultimate goal is to achieve cloud mobility, where all forms of mobility are interconnected through cloud-based software and continuously evolve.”
The company has also launched Pleos Playground, an open development platform aimed at providing mobile app developers with access to automotive software endpoints. This platform offers software development kits, design guidelines, and support tools to assist in creating in-vehicle applications that users can download via a dedicated app market.
Hyundai Motor Group has announced partnerships with various technology firms, including Google, Uber, Samsung, Naver, SOCAR, and Unity, to broaden its software ecosystem. These collaborations are intended to integrate vehicles with smart home systems, enhance navigation services, optimize AI functionalities, improve car-sharing experiences, and develop in-vehicle entertainment options.
The company also unveiled plans to implement Level 2+ autonomous driving capabilities by the end of 2027. This system will use cameras and radars to recognize vehicle surroundings and make decisions through AI deep learning structures. Hyundai aims to develop these vehicles into “learning machines” that continuously improve through experience.
As part of its cloud mobility vision, Hyundai introduced the Next Urban Mobility Alliance (NUMA), a public-private partnership framework to connect and optimize transportation systems. NUMA includes initiatives like Shucle, a demand-responsive transport service, and Autonomous Vehicle Foundry (AVF), which supplies electric vehicles with autonomous driving technologies to global companies.
The automotive industry has been shifting toward software-defined vehicles in recent years as traditional automakers face increasing competition from tech companies and electric vehicle manufacturers. This transition represents a fundamental change in how vehicles are designed, built, and updated, with software capabilities becoming as important as mechanical performance.
Hyundai Motor Group, which includes the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands, has been investing heavily in future mobility technologies as part of its strategy to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. The company began its SDV development in 2023 and has been working on electrical and electronic architecture to support its software ambitions.
The company has announced its intention to introduce Level 2+ autonomous driving features by the end of 2027. This advanced system will utilize cameras and radar technology to assess the vehicle’s environment and make decisions based on artificial intelligence deep learning frameworks. Hyundai’s goal is to transform these vehicles into “learning machines” that enhance their capabilities through accumulated experience.
In alignment with its vision for cloud mobility, Hyundai has launched the Next Urban Mobility Alliance (NUMA), a collaborative framework that combines public and private sectors to enhance and streamline transportation systems. NUMA encompasses projects such as Shucle, a transport service that adapts to demand, and the Autonomous Vehicle Foundry (AVF), which provides electric vehicles equipped with autonomous driving technologies to companies worldwide.
