Hyundai Introduces Pleos Connect in the U.S. on the All-New 2027 TUCSON

Hyundai Motor America announced the all-new 2027 Hyundai TUCSON will be the first Hyundai vehicle in the United States to feature Pleos Connect. Pleos Connect is Hyundai Motor Group’s new infotainment platform designed to deliver a more intuitive, safe and personalized in-vehicle experience. The platform combines a driver-friendly interface, advanced navigation, artificial intelligence-powered voice interaction and an open app ecosystem. Pleos Connect also supports continuing feature and performance enhancements through over-the-air updates.

“Pleos Connect represents a fundamental shift in how customers experience their vehicles over time,” said Eric Wood, senior vice president of product experience, 42dot. “Built on a software-defined vehicle architecture, Pleos Connect is designed to enable continuous value evolution through over-the-air updates, advanced AI capabilities and an open ecosystem that allows new services and experiences to be added throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle. Rather than viewing the vehicle as a product that is complete at delivery, we see it as a platform that can adapt, improve and become more personalized over time.”

Developed by 42dot, Hyundai Motor Group’s global software center, Pleos Connect uses Android Automotive OS and is built around three core principles: intuitiveness, safety and openness. The platform moves Hyundai’s infotainment architecture to an operating system designed to support native applications, software updates and connected services.

The introduction of Pleos Connect in the all-new TUCSON represents a significant step in Hyundai’s transition toward software-defined vehicles. The platform is designed to bring new digital experiences and expanded functionality to customers while providing a common user experience across its diverse configurations.

Key Highlights:

New large center displays
Slim Information Display
Intuitive and customizable user experience
Online navigation system with real time mapping and routing data
Gleo AI in-vehicle AI agent
Open app ecosystem called Pleos App Market

Gleo AI Enables Conversational Vehicle Interaction
At the core of Pleos Connect is Gleo AI, an in-vehicle AI agent powered by large language model technology. Rather than relying solely on predefined commands, Gleo AI is designed to understand conversational and vehicle context, interpret user intent, process natural-language requests and support multi-command interactions.

Gleo AI can assist with navigation, compatible vehicle controls and information requests while providing context-aware responses and a more natural conversational experience. The system is designed to understand conversational history, helping customers complete tasks and access vehicle functions through everyday dialogue. U.S. customers can activate the assistant using either “Hey Gleo” or “Hey Hyundai” wake phrases. Regular software updates will help Gleo AI to continue to evolve and improve. Gleo AI availability may vary by model and trim level.

Intuitive Interface Focused on the Driver Experience
Pleos Connect was developed using user experience research and data analysis intended to make vehicle interactions simpler and more intuitive. The system features a large-screen interface that integrates vehicle and driving information, navigation and applications.

The platform includes a driving information area focused on important vehicle data, customizable application displays and quick-access controls that allow drivers to easily access frequently used functions. Physical buttons remain available for key vehicle functions to support convenient and safe operation.

The driving information area incorporates a 3D vehicle model that can display vehicle status information and provide access to certain supported vehicle controls. Depending on the vehicle and its equipment, displayed functions may include outside-mirror operation, front-trunk operation and tailgate operation. A dedicated Vehicle Settings app organizes compatible controls and settings through on-screen keys. On-screen status indicators and confirmation messages provide feedback after supported functions are selected.

Displays and System Configurations
Pleos Connect is available with 17-inch and 12.9-inch QHD center screen configurations. Both use Android Automotive OS, share a common design language and interaction model, and are designed to help customers transition between Pleos-equipped Hyundai vehicles without learning a new interface. Both screen sizes support a 2560-by-1440-pixel resolution and use a 16:9 aspect ratio. The 9.9-inch Slim Information Display above the steering wheel is standard with both screen sizes on TUCSON.

Pleos Connect supports both landscape and portrait layouts when enabled by the application. Depending on application support, users can display a single application in a landscape layout or use a portrait-oriented layout for two-app multitasking. The interface separates Driving View from App View, with Driving View prioritizing vehicle information and controls and App View supporting navigation, media and compatible native applications.

The display proportions reflect formats commonly used on televisions, smartphones and tablets, while portrait mode provides a layout similar to mobile application environments.

Slim Information Display Keeps Key Information Forward
The Slim Information Display is positioned to place relevant information close to the driver’s direct line of sight. The center area can present information such as vehicle speed, the posted speed limit, advanced driver assistance system status, media information, estimated arrival time, remaining distance and trip data.

Side areas can display information including estimated driving range, fuel level, efficiency, turn-by-turn directions, system notifications and feedback for vehicle controls such as headlamps and windshield wipers.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Integration
Pleos Connect supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing customers to connect compatible smartphones without a cable and access supported phone-based applications and services through the vehicle’s infotainment display. The system also includes Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto complement the native Pleos App Market rather than replace it. Smartphone projection gives customers access to compatible services from a connected device, while Pleos App Market applications run directly through the vehicle’s Android Automotive OS-based platform.

Enhanced Navigation, Connected Search and Route Guidance
Pleos Connect features embedded hybrid online navigation that combines connected map data with an onboard map database. In the U.S., current map information can be downloaded based on vehicle location, while preinstalled map data helps maintain navigation functionality in areas without a data connection.

The navigation interface supports portrait and landscape map formats and flexible screen layouts that allow simultaneous use of navigation and compatible applications on the same display. Floating information cards provide key route details without obstructing map visibility. Google Places-based search can provide point-of-interest and address results that may include photos, operating hours and other available location information.

Gleo AI integration allows customers to search for destinations and request route guidance through natural-language conversation. The system can interpret the context of a request and use that information to assist with destination selection and navigation.

The platform is also designed to receive ongoing enhancements through over-the-air software updates.

Pleos App Market Expands Native In-Vehicle Services
The Pleos App Market is an in-house-developed application store that brings native, vehicle-optimized applications directly to the infotainment system. Unlike smartphone projection-based approaches, applications run directly on the vehicle’s Android Automotive OS-based platform, enabling deeper integration while supporting a growing ecosystem of entertainment, productivity, mobility, lifestyle and vehicle-related services.

Applications can be updated independently of the vehicle’s broader multimedia software-update schedule, helping deliver new features and enhancements over time. Use of connected applications requires an applicable connectivity data package. Streaming music and video-sharing platforms are among the applications in the Pleos App Market.

The platform also provides software development kits and selected vehicle application programming interfaces to support third-party development and future expansion. All applications undergo cybersecurity and verification review processes before distribution through the Pleos ecosystem.

Pleos Connect System at a Glance
Pleos Connect combines upgraded hardware, an open operating system and connected software services in a cohesive infotainment architecture. Core system specifications include:

Operating system: Android Automotive OS
Developer: 42dot, Hyundai Motor Group’s global software center
Center displays: 17-inch display or 12.9-inch
Display resolution: QHD, 2560 by 1440 pixels
Slim Information Display: 9.9 inches, Standard in TUCSON
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 6
Smartphone integration: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Voice and AI: Gleo AI, powered by large language model technology
Navigation: Embedded hybrid online navigation using HERE Maps and Google Places
Updates: Over-the-air software updates
Open Operating System
Software Development Kit

Additional details regarding availability, specifications, connectivity requirements and model-specific features for the next-generation TUCSON equipped with Pleos Connect will be announced closer to launch.

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