- Embedded its major services like T Map and MelOn in New SM3 as a basic feature
- Achieves the world's first commercialization of tethering-based in-vehicle infotainment platform embedded in
mass-produced vehicles
- Expects to lead the in-vehicle platform market with differentiated technologies and market-proven mobile services
Seoul, Korea, September 4, 2012 — SK Planet announced today that it successfully embedded its trademark services such as
T Map and MelOn in Renault Samsung Motors’ New SM3 compact sedan released on September 1.
SK Planet and Renault Samsung, who have been working together since 2000 to develop mobile telematics technology,
successfully embedded an in-vehicle Infotainment (Information + Entertainment) platform that allow users to enjoy smartphone
contents through features and user interface optimized for in-vehicle use, in all Renault Samsung models released after
September 2012.
SK Planet said its in-vehicle infotainment platform holds a great meaning as it marks the world's first commercialization of an
in-vehicle infotainment platform - embedded in mass-produced vehicles - that enables users’ in-vehicle use of diverse mobile
contents/services via smartphone tethering.
Without having to install a separate in-vehicle communication module, users can simply activate their smartphone’s tethering
feature to get real-time route guidance, enjoy online music service and send photos/videos stored in their smartphones through
the seven-inch monitor embedded in vehicles.
The company embedded ‘3D T Map,’ a T Map service designed to operate on seven-inch screens, in vehicles to allow users to
experience key features of T Map including route guidance and nearby area information by using smartphone as an external
modem.
Moreover, customers can use Map Air Update Service (MAUS) to enjoy free updates of T Map’s road information and maps
while pumping gas or washing cars at one of the 1,000 SK Gas Stations with Wi-Fi access point.
Users can also enjoy live digital streaming of music from MelOn's massive music content library. The user interface has been
optimized for in-vehicle operation to provide drivers with ease of use. In addition, the sound quality is higher than that of Bluetooth
streaming as digital streaming, which is free from sound quality impairments, has been applied to a music-on-demand service
for the first time.
The platform also allows users to exchange diverse multimedia contents like photos and videos stored in smartphones with the
vehicle's embedded monitor.
SK Planet's in-vehicle infotainment platform will be embedded in all Renault Samsung's cars to be released from September
2012, and anyone holding a Wi-Fi tethering-enabled smartphone, regardless of carrier and smartphone operating system, will
be able to enjoy the features provided by the platform.
The company said that it will charge no information usage fee to users for first three years of platform use, after which the users
can sign up for dedicated plans priced at an affordable yearly-cost of around KRW 10,000.
Going forward, SK Planet plans to further improve and upgrade the platform so as to realize in-vehicle use of a wide range of
multimedia content platforms like T Store, hoppin and T Cloud, while cooperating with local and foreign automakers on issues
regarding the in-vehicle infotainment platform.
"Under partnership with Renault Samsung, SK Planet has brought to market a new concept of in-vehicle platform where a
smartphone serves as a hub for in-vehicle communication and delivery of diverse contents,” said Kim Jang-wook, SK Planet's
Head of Open Social Business Division. "Going forward, we will continue to introduce innovative services customized to drivers'
needs and in-vehicle environments by leveraging our strong technological capability and extensive know-how in mobile platform
and services."
