Hyundai streamlines integration with Google Assistant

(May 8, 2019) MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — To make it easier than ever to control a Hyundai vehicle remotely through the Google Assistant, Google is previewing enhanced remote vehicle controls with Hyundai’s Blue Link at Google I/O. Using an Assistant-enabled smart speaker, Smart Display or Android or iOS phone, Hyundai owners soon can do things like start their car from the kitchen, set their car’s temperature from the comfort of their couch, or make sure their car doors are locked while in the grocery store more efficiently.

Previously, executing one of these actions required multiple steps, prompting a dialogue between the owner and their Assistant. Available in the coming months, this new integration will allow vehicle owners to control and get the status of their vehicle with just one or two voice commands.

After linking their vehicle with the Google Assistant, all a Hyundai owner has to say is, “Hey Google, start my car,” “Hey Google, how much gas does my car have?” or “Hey Google, are my car doors locked?” instead of “Hey Google, tell Blue Link to start my Santa Fe,” “Hey Google, ask Blue Link how much gas I have in my tank,” or “Hey Google, ask Blue Link to lock my car.” With this new streamlined experience, the “Ask Blue Link” portion of the voice commands have been removed.

Hyundai owners can now incorporate these Blue Link remote commands into a Google Assistant morning routine to get a head start on their commute. For example, an owner can easily add vehicle actions to a ready-made “Good morning” routine to trigger their Assistant to brief them on the weather, share a traffic update, and tell them how much charge their Kona Electric has, just by saying “Hey Google, good morning.”

Or they can set up a custom routine for the command “Hey Google, bedtime,” to have their Assistant check to see if their garage door is closed, lock their front door and car, and turn off lights in their home.

“Anytime we can make features better and easier to use for our customers we are going to do it,” said Manish Mehrotra, director, digital business planning and connected operations, Hyundai Motor America. “From being able to double check that their car doors are locked as they walk into a movie theater, or remote start their Sonata on a cold winter day using their Google Assistant device, we’re excited to bring even more helpfulness to our customers.”

Blue Link brings seamless connectivity directly into Hyundai cars with technologies including Remote Start with Climate Control, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Car Finder, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, and Stolen Vehicle Recovery. Blue Link services can be easily accessed from the buttons on the rearview mirror and center stack, the web or via the Blue Link owners’ smartphone app.