Hyundai’s Pleos Software Launch Shifts the Mobility Game

At the heart of the Hyundai Pleos software launch lies the Pleos Playground - an open development platform that empowers third-party developers to access vehicle software endpoints, SDKs, APIs, and support tools, facilitating the creation and distribution of applications via a dedicated App Market. This strategy taps into the growing trend of OEMs partnering with tech giants to bolster their software capabilities.

For example, Ford’s collaboration with Google on data analytics and AI—along with Volkswagen’s alliance with Microsoft for cloud solutions—highlight the critical nature of these partnerships. Hyundai is actively collaborating with technology firms, including Google, Uber, Samsung, Naver, SOCAR, and Unity. These partnerships aim to enhance in-vehicle app ecosystems, advance autonomous driving capabilities, and contribute to the development of a comprehensive Cloud Mobility infrastructure.

Hyundai’s Pleos software is transitioning from the traditional Connected Car Operating System (CCOS) platform to Android Automotive OS (AAOS). This shift supports more seamless and frequent updates to infotainment and other software features, aligning Hyundai’s strategy with the latest technology trends.

For AAOS v13 and above, Google can update the Google part of the software directly without going through the OEM, resulting in an update frequency similar to Android phones. Unlike Volkswagen’s VW.OS and Mercedes-Benz’s MB.OS, Hyundai’s use of Android Automotive OS and open SDKs provides greater flexibility and access to a vast developer community and existing app ecosystem.

This open approach is a potential advantage over competitors’ closed systems, which are less frequently updated and rely on more complex approval processes for updates.

Hyundai Motor Group owns three major automotive brands: Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Historically, these brands have used different software stacks and electronic architectures, which complicates maintenance, updates, and feature deployment. The Pleos software aims to eliminate these silos by providing a single, unified operating system and architecture across all three brands, enabling unified over-the-air (OTA) upgrade processes through a centralized cloud infrastructure.

The development of a proprietary vehicle OS under Pleos aims to improve vehicle performance and scalability. This OS is built upon an advanced Electrical and Electronic (E/E) architecture, combining high-performance vehicle computers with zone-specific controllers, enabling over-the-air updates and continuous feature enhancements. Hyundai's zonal architecture is designed to support the integration of advanced technologies into their vehicles and is expected to be a key component of their strategy as they move toward more sophisticated vehicle designs and functionalities.

Additionally, the upcoming AAOS-based infotainment system Pleos Connect is designed to offer a smartphone-like interface with features such as multi-window functions and an AI voice assistant. Scheduled for launch in Q2 2026, Pleos Connect is projected by Hyundai to be integrated into over 20 million vehicles by 2030. 

The Pleos platform is built to support advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and AI applications, with plans to launch Level 2+ ADAS services by 2027. This ambitious timeline positions Hyundai to keep pace with the industry's shift toward sophisticated autonomous technologies. As Tesla pushes the boundaries of Full Self-Driving, competition among OEMs to enhance their ADAS offerings is heating up, making Hyundai's advancements even more important in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Hyundai's strategy involves developing a cloud-based ecosystem that links vehicles with mobility services and infrastructure, a vital step as the automotive landscape moves toward integrated solutions. This approach not only enhances vehicle functionality but also positions Hyundai to leverage emerging trends in shared mobility and electric vehicle integration.