Kia and Samsung Partner for IoT in Vehicles; T-Systems Explores Metaverse for Industry

Kia and Samsung are revolutionizing business mobility by integrating IoT technology into Kia’s purpose-built vehicles, while T-Systems, together with Drees & Sommer, is harnessing the power of the metaverse to transform industrial processes.

• Kia and Samsung collaborate on IoT for vehicles
• T-Systems uses metaverse for industrial digital twins
• Blockchain and IoT integration across industries

At the 2025 Kia EV Day event in Spain, Kia and Samsung unveiled a bold partnership. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), they plan to integrate Samsung’s SmartThings Pro into Kia’s PV5 model. This tech, which connects devices to the internet for smart control, aims to streamline business operations from the road. Imagine telling your vehicle to start your coffee maker while you’re stuck in traffic—now that’s what I call a smart commute!

Sangdae Kim, from Kia, emphasized the potential of this integration, stating, “Kia’s purpose-built vehicles are designed to be more than just vehicles; they are intelligent business solutions that connect with digital ecosystems.”

Meanwhile, T-Systems, a division of Deutsche Telekom, is diving into the metaverse with Drees & Sommer. They’re using Nvidia’s Omniverse—a platform for developing AI-powered applications—to create virtual replicas of physical systems, known as digital twins. These digital twins are being used to enhance monitoring, maintenance, and efficiency in manufacturing, and have already been tested in the automobile sector.

Christian Hort, an executive at T-Systems, remarked, “Industrial companies across all sectors are in a phase of change,” highlighting the transformative potential of this technology.

The integration of blockchain and IoT technologies across industries is on the rise. The automobile blockchain market, which involves using blockchain to securely manage car titles and other data, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% over the next eight years. This growth is exemplified by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which has already digitized 42 million car titles on distributed ledgers.

While the potential of these technologies is vast, we must navigate the challenges carefully. The hype around IoT and blockchain can sometimes overshadow practical issues like cybersecurity. Yet, the promise of disrupting traditional business models and fostering decentralization is undeniable. It aligns with the principles of effective accelerationism (e/acc) and the push for greater privacy and freedom—values that resonate deeply with the cryptocurrency community.

However, as we champion these advancements, we must also be vigilant about the risks. The integration of IoT and blockchain in vehicles and industry could pave the way for more decentralized and efficient systems, but we need robust measures to ensure these technologies empower rather than exploit.

These developments extend beyond the crypto space, showcasing the transformative potential of blockchain and IoT across industries. As we embrace decentralization and disruption, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced perspective, acknowledging both the opportunities and the challenges ahead.

Key Takeaways and Questions

• What is the purpose of the collaboration between Kia and Samsung?

  The purpose is to integrate technology that connects devices to the internet for smart control into Kia’s vehicles designed specifically for business use, enhancing business mobility and streamlining operations.

• What specific functionalities will Kia’s vehicles gain from SmartThings Pro?

  Kia’s vehicles will gain the ability to remotely control Samsung smart appliances through in-vehicle infotainment systems or connected tablets, including features like “work mode” and “closing mode” for business operations.

• What are the projected growth rates for the automobile blockchain market?

  The automobile blockchain market, which involves using blockchain to securely manage car titles and other data, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% over an eight-year period.

• How is T-Systems utilizing the metaverse in industrial applications?

  T-Systems, in partnership with Drees & Sommer, is using the metaverse to create virtual replicas of physical systems, known as digital twins, using Nvidia’s Omniverse to improve efficiency, monitoring, and compliance.

• What benefits do digital twins offer to manufacturing companies?

  Digital twins offer advanced monitoring, preventive maintenance, transparency, efficiency, regulatory compliance, and carbon emissions tracking, which help in reducing planning and operational costs.

• How do these developments relate to the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem?

  These developments align with the principles of decentralization and effective accelerationism (e/acc) championed by the cryptocurrency community, as they promote more autonomous and efficient systems.