Hyundai’s Pleos Connect: AI-Powered Infotainment Blends Tesla-Like Design with Physical Controls

Hyundai has unveiled Pleos Connect, its next-generation infotainment platform designed to modernize in-car technology with AI, configurable touchscreens, and a blend of physical controls. Developed by Hyundai Motor Group, the system represents a significant step toward software-defined vehicles.

The platform will debut in Korea on the Grandeur sedan before expanding to the Hyundai Ioniq 3 EV, which is headed for Europe. Hyundai aims to transform its vehicles into rolling software platforms, with over-the-air updates and new features rolling out over time.

Design: Tesla-Like Layout with a Twist

At first glance, Pleos Connect’s interface resembles Tesla’s minimalist approach, featuring a large central touchscreen split into sections for driving data, apps, and shortcuts. A secondary display in front of the driver shows essential information like speed and navigation directions.

Unlike some competitors, Hyundai has retained key physical controls. Buttons on the steering wheel and below the main screen manage functions such as climate control and volume, reducing the need to navigate menus while driving. A three-finger gesture allows users to quickly rearrange or close apps.

Gleo AI: The Heart of the System

Central to Pleos Connect is the Gleo AI voice assistant, which supports conversational commands and can handle multiple requests simultaneously. It can interpret vague instructions like “navigate there” based on context and adjust cabin settings for the speaker without explicit commands.

The AI assistant also enables online searches and integrates seamlessly with the infotainment system, reducing the need for manual input.

Navigation: Real-Time Data and Modular Interface

Hyundai has overhauled the navigation system in Pleos Connect, incorporating live data from other vehicles to provide real-time routing. The modular interface allows drivers to run maps alongside other apps, with critical details like route and arrival time displayed as floating cards for easy readability.

App Market: An Open Ecosystem for Entertainment and More

Pleos Connect introduces an open App Market, enabling users to download services such as music streaming, video, and web browsing directly to the infotainment system—no phone required. Hyundai plans to expand the ecosystem with additional entertainment and vehicle-related apps in the future.

Future Rollout: 20 Million Vehicles by 2030

Hyundai intends to deploy Pleos Connect across its brands, including Genesis and Kia, targeting approximately 20 million vehicles by 2030. The system aligns with the company’s broader strategy to enhance in-car technology through regular over-the-air updates.

While the infotainment system has been widely praised for its innovation, some critics have noted that its name, Pleos Connect, may sound awkwardly like “please connect!”