Hyundai announces Android Wear app that can start your car remotely

It seems like car technology is growing way faster than anything else out there. We have already seen Android Auto, super high-end children’s cars, and now a new development from South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai. The car company has just announced their new Android Wear app that allows users to control their cars from their wrist.

The app is called Blue Link, and it gives users the ability to remotely start, lock and unlock their cars, and even find the parking location in a crowded parking lot. They’ve made navigation pretty simple, too. You can access all of these controls using a couple of taps or voice commands. Here are all of the features available on the app at launch:

• Remote Engine Start
• Remote Engine Stop (Only available when vehicle is in remote engine start mode)
• Remote Door Lock / Unlock
• Remote Flash Lights / Honk Horn
• Car Finder
• Call Roadside
• Call Blue Link

The app will only be available on Hyundai cars with the Blue Link services installed, and will work with all first generation and newer Blue Link cars. Hyundai will be showing off the Blue Link app at CES 2015 this week. The app will be available for free in the Google Play Store in Q1 of this year, and will be compatible with all Android Wear devices.

[press] Next Generation Blue Link System to Launch on 2016 Elantra GT and Veloster 

• The Blue Link smartwatch app works with first and second generation Blue Link equipped Hyundai models.

Fountain Valley, Calif., Jan. 2, 2015 – Smartwatch sales are skyrocketing and starting early in 2015 Hyundai owners will be able to connect with their cars using these wearable devices and the Hyundai Blue Link^® smartwatch app. Hyundai will debut and demonstrate the Blue Link smartwatch app at Pepcom’s Digital Experience and at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES^®). Pepcom’s Digital Experience takes place before CES on Jan. 5 and Hyundai’s exhibit (North Hall, booth #2818) at CES will be open Jan. 6-9, 2015. Hyundai’s cloud-based Blue Link platform allows features like remote start and service information to be quickly accessed through devices like smartwatches and smartphones. Hyundai partnered with Station Digital Media to develop the Blue Link smartwatch app.

“This new app expands Hyundai’s exploration into how wearable technology and Blue Link fit into a customer’s lifestyle,” said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director, customer connect and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. “Connecting to your car through a smartwatch and voice recognition was previously something seen only in science fiction movies. Now, we can provide this capability to owners of Hyundai vehicles equipped with Blue Link.”

The app is easy to use. The wearer simply taps an icon or uses voice commands to execute remote functions. The Blue Link smartwatch app allows Hyundai owners to remote start, lock and unlock doors as well as find their car in a crowded parking lot. Pushing the microphone icon on the watch activates the voice function, where the driver can execute commands such as “Start my car,” “Lock my car” or “Find my car.” [/press]