Kia India has partnered with Airtel Business, the B2B division of Bharti Airtel, to enhance the Kia Connect 2.0 platform. This platform focuses on five main areas: Vehicle Management, AI Voice Command, Convenience, Remote Control, and Safety and Security, and Navigation. Through Airtel's extensive communication network, all connected car variants of Kia will receive reliable and secure real-time connectivity to facilitate the seamless transfer of essential data.
Hardeep Singh Brar, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales and Marketing at Kia India, highlighted the introduction of Over-the-Air (OTA) Kia Connect Diagnostics as part of their transition to Kia Connect 2.0. This initiative aims to unlock the potential of Software-Defined Vehicles, with Internet of Things (IoT) technology at its core. Brar expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Airtel Business, noting that it would enhance data security and privacy while integrating advanced technologies into Kia vehicles. The collaboration is intended to provide Kia vehicle owners with enhanced analytics and real-time insights.
Airtel's IoT platform, known as Airtel IoT Hub, will support advanced analytics and real-time insights, covering both internal combustion engine (ICE) models and electric vehicles (EVs). Airtel is committed to ensuring data privacy and safety for connected vehicles, while also automating operations throughout all stages of vehicle production and management.
Airtel's IoT platform offers seamless connectivity for both ICE and EV models, ensuring complete data privacy and compliance with customer data security standards. The platform supports multiple automotive use cases, including telematics and infotainment. With Airtel’s eSIMs, vehicles can be connected straight from the factory, allowing customers to have a seamless experience from the moment they purchase their vehicle. The platform also includes enhanced safety features, such as SOS emergency calling and real-time connectivity during emergencies.
Custom data plans are available to cater to varying data consumption needs, while the platform supports remote health monitoring and Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) updates, ensuring that vehicles have the latest software for optimal performance. Airtel provides end-to-end support and real-time monitoring from pre-launch testing to ongoing vehicle performance analytics to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
Airtel Business has established itself as a significant player in the IoT space, having connected over 20 million devices through its solutions. Currently, it powers more than 33 million IoT devices across India, capturing approximately 55% of the country's IoT connectivity market. The company serves various industries, including automotive, energy, utilities, logistics, financial services, and manufacturing, the company claims.