Kia is making your owner’s manual available in an app

MANILA: Kia Motors Corporation has teamed up with Google and Megazone to develop an app with AI (artificial intelligence) that allows motorists to access their vehicle owner’s manual online.

Called the Kia Owner’s Manual App, it explains the name and functions of components installed in the vehicle using the smartphone camera. This will give drivers faster access and simpler explanation about each and every feature.

“The Kia Owner's Manual App will offer a unique customer experience with our products. Kia drivers will be able to enhance the safety and convenience of ownership with the app, which provides easy and intuitive information on the various functions of their vehicle and our latest technologies,” said Kia Motors Kim Vice President and Head of Global Dealer and Service Eui-sung 

The Korean automaker debuted AR (augmented reality) mobile apps in 2017 but these were only limited to certain models due to the difference in layout and switches.

In order for the new app to work on all new models, Kia, Google, and Megazone programmed the app’s Symbol Scanner to recognize a standard symbol on the switches from any angle. Once the feature has been recognized via server communication, a video is displayed detailing what it does.

A search function is also available in the app, plus a Symbol Index and Warning Indicator Index, which offers an illustrated list of in-car symbols and instrument cluster warning lights and their definitions.

As the app is cloud-based, it makes it easy to customize to match the vehicle’s features depending on the region it is in.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Kia on this innovative application of AI Platform which is already used in the manufacturing industry to help automate the visual quality control process. The new AI-powered Digital Owner’s Manual is a great example of the kind of challenges AI can solve and how it can help enhance the customer experience,” said Google Cloud Korea Country Director Kiyoung Choi.

The app will roll out starting the second half of 2020 and will feature the new models released worldwide.

Photo from Kia

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