Hyundai previews its next-gen in-car infotainment tech

Offering a look at what’s to come in its future vehicles, Hyundai is presenting operational versions of several new infotainment system elements at this-week’s 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. These latest innovations at the CES follow the automaker’s recent announcement that it plans to integrate Google Maps Application Program Interfaces — including Point of Interest Search, Send2Car and Local Search by Voice — into its basic Blue Link Telematics package. Kia also will add similar functionality to its own UVO system. 

To help diminish the potential for distracted driving, owners of tomorrow’s Hyundai vehicles with an Apple iPhone running iOS6 will be able to use voice activation to call upon the services of that ever-helpful virtual assistant, Siri. When integrated into the in-vehicle infotainment system, Siri can perform a variety of tasks while providing an added measure of safety thanks to an "Eyes Free" mode that prevents the phone’s screen from illuminating while in use.

To further increase the usability of voice activation in general, Hyundai also is showing Dragon Drive. This auto-grade voice service platform developed by Nuance allows a driver to do everything from dictating messages to requesting a wide range of real-time information, again, with minimal distraction.

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Another element on Hyundai’s future to-have list is Mobile High-Definition Link technology. This feature that can deliver up 1080p uncompressed video with up to eight channels of digital audio from a mobile device to a dashboard display, all while charging the device. Finally, the automaker is showing a selection of next-gen hardware that includes high-resolution multi-touch displays, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi/3G connectivity options and new user-centric interface designs that will support features such as web browsing, mobile hot-spot and media streaming along with enhanced entertainment functions like Harman’s Aha Radio, Pandora, HD Radio and SiriusXM.

Although they appear to be close to real-world ready, Hyundai offered no specific timeline or vehicle lineup for the initial implementation of Eyes Free, Dragon Drive or Mobile High-Definition Link.