Original author(s) Initial release January 2011 (2011-01) Type Telematics | Developer(s) Kia Motors America Development status Active | |
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Available in English, French, Spanish | ||
UVO eServices is a subscription free OEM infotainment and telematics service offered by Kia Motors America on select vehicles for the United States market. The system allows users to make hands-free calls on their smartphone, stream music, navigate to a POI, and perform vehicle diagnostics with the use of voice commands.
Contents
- Overview
- UVO Infotainment Features
- In Vehicle Apps
- 3rd Party Features
- MyUVOcom
- Smartphone App
- 2014 Re Design
- As a Method of Data Transfer
- UVO
- UVO eServices
- UVO eServices with 7 Nav
- UVO eServices with 8 Nav
- UVO Premium
- Vehicles offering UVO
- References
The integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system is developed by Kia Motors and other third-party developers.
Overview
First launched in the 2011 model year, Kia’s UVO entertainment system controls available HD radio, CD player, and built-in digital jukebox. The system also interfaces with Bluetooth-enabled phones and utilizes touchscreen and voice command technology.
The UVO system is driven by vehicle communications with a smartphone application. Data transfers from the vehicle to the smartphone application utilize the customer’s mobile carrier resulting in a subscription-free telematics service. Users of this system are able to interact with their vehicle to retrieve Diagnostic Trouble Codes. Users can also load a Point of interest to the vehicle's Head unit. Other technologies like GPS and IVR are also integrated in this system.
Users are able to access the vehicle data on the smartphone application and through a customer web portal. In the 2015 model year, select vehicles launched with an Android-based operating platform to allow flexibility to integrate 3rd party applications. Certain vehicles 2014 or later have USB connectivity and certain vehicle 2015 or later have Wi-fi connectivity.
UVO & Infotainment Features
The below table provides a short description of UVO eServices features. Feature availability depends on model and model year.
In Vehicle Apps
Beginning with the 2015 Optima the UVO eServices with 8" Nav system allows users to download applications from the UVO Download Center for in-vehicle use via the headunit. Currently Yelp is available in the UVO Download Center.
3rd Party Features
Beginning with 2015 Optima the UVO eServices with 8" Nav system allows users to connect the vehicle headunit to a WiFi hotspot. Once connected to WiFi, most vehicles can access Google Local Search via a button on the steering wheel to search for POIs via Voice Recognition. 2015 UVO eServices with 8" Nav system also supports Siri Eyes Free which allows users to access Siri via a button on the steering wheel for supported Apple devices.
MyUVO.com
Owners of UVO equipped vehicles can register for an account on www.myuvo.com to view information related to their vehicle. Vehicle information available includes Vehicle Diagnostics, Trip Info, MyCarZone, and MyPOIs. In addition to viewing vehicle information, users can also view the maintenance schedule for their vehicle and schedule appointments with a dealer. Also, users can earn awards by actively using the website.
Smartphone App
The UVO smartphone app is available in the iTunes and Google Play stores. The app interfaces with the vehicle through a USB or Bluetooth connection. The UVO eServices with 8" Nav headunit requires a USB connection to transfer telematics data, while others use Bluetooth for data transfer. All headunits can connect with bluetooth for phone and audio functions.
2014 Re-Design
In 2014 the app was re-skinned and new features were added. On compatible 2015 vehicles, the UVO app will display Trip Info and My Car Zone.
As a Method of Data Transfer
The UVO app serves as a web interface for vehicles that do not have embedded web capatilities. Data is transferred from the UVO headunit to the app via Bluetooth or USB, which is then transferred to the web and viewable from both the app and the web.
UVO
The original UVO was released on 2011 vehicles. Features include voice commands, bluetooth, jukebox, and rear-view camera. UVO was replaced by UVO eServices on most models by the 2014 model year. UVO is still standard (although discontinued) in 2015 LX, EX Sedonas.
UVO eServices
UVO eServices was the first UVO to interface with MyUVO.com and the UVO mobile app. It was introduced on 2013 model year Optima, Optima Hybrid, and Sportage. In addition to having all of the features on the original UVO, UVO eServices has Parking Minder, Enhanced Roadside Assist, and Vehicle Diagnostics. On 2015 model year vehicles, Trip Info and My Car Zone features are included.
UVO eServices with 7" Nav
UVO eServices with 7" Nav was introduced alongside UVO eServices on some 2013 models. In addition to all of the features of UVO and UVO eServices, the 7" Nav version has Navigation and My POIs. On 2015 model year vehicles, Trip Info and My Car Zone are included.
UVO eServices with 8" Nav
UVO eServices with 8" Nav was introduced on the 2014 Soul. It has all of the features of UVO eServices with 7" Nav, the larger screen accepts swipe gestures, and features are organized in the way that apps are organized on a tablet.
On September 22, 2014, an update for the 2014 Soul UVO with Nav system was released which unlocks the eServices including My Car Zone, Vehicle Diagnostics, and 911 Connect. It also includes updated maps and improved navigation features, as well as Siri Eyes-Free.
UVO Premium
UVO Premium was designed specifically for the 2015 K900. It shares most of its features with UVO eServices with 7" Nav. It comes with a completely re-designed user interface and the touch screen from other UVO versions is replaced with a controller wheel on the center console.
Vehicles offering UVO
The following vehicles are UVO capable, available as either an optional or standard feature. The date next to each vehicle indicates in which model year UVO was first available on that specific vehicle. On some models, UVO is not available on all trim levels.
North America: