Since Samsung’s acquisition of HARMAN less than two years ago, the two companies have worked closely to create and implement connective technologies that align with what consumers want today – and in the future. As technology grows ever more capable, it’s producing new use cases, new benefits – new lifestyles - that are set to shape the way we live and work. In the run up to CES 2019, we decided to take a close look at the significant trends HARMAN and Samsung are harnessing to make life more connected, entertaining, personalized and productive.

TREND 1: DIGITIZING THE MODERN AUTOMOBILE THROUGH PERSONALIZATION

As the automotive industry has touted, the race to get self-driving cars on the road is overcrowded and continues to intensify. Today, all major automakers are working collaboratively with a range of technology companies to develop and test their vision of the connected vehicle, which will inform the future of the autonomous car. HARMAN’s deep roots in the automotive industry as a leading provider of infotainment, telematics, navigation, multimedia, safety, security and over-the-air update capabilities, coupled with Samsung’s scale, global platform and consumer electronics prowess makes us an ideal partner for automotive OEMs who are aiming to accelerate the connected car movement.

Through multiple display screens, enhanced infotainment, high speed 5G connectivity, and artificial intelligence, HARMAN and Samsung’s bleeding-edge solutions are driving the future of automotive today. Our Digital Cockpit disrupts the norm by securely delivering greater productivity and personalization, with countless apps and enterprise services connecting the car, to the Internet of Things. With advanced features, like programmable knobs and beautiful Samsung-produced displays, users can intuitively customize their media, navigation, climate control and more. Bringing together HARMAN’s sophisticated sound solutions and branded audio systems, the Digital Cockpit delivers a more personalized and entertaining in-car experience that’s seamlessly connected to the passengers’ digital life. Perhaps even more impressively? Advancements like the Digital Cockpit set the stage for an entire new chapter in automotive technology.

HARMAN and Samsung also announced the development of the industry’s first 5G-ready automotive solution, also known as the Telematics Control Unit (TCU). The TCU is the foundation of the connected car, linking external networks to onboard electronics systems in consumers’ vehicle. With 5G, the TCU can process data up to 100 times faster than 4G LTE securely and reliably, and it can support vehicle-to-everything communications, laying the groundwork for autonomous driving.

TREND 2: CHANNELING IOT FOR PRODUCTIVITY AND BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION

From smart buildings to smart cities, IoT is transforming industries at a rapid pace. Organizations seek to enter new markets, create disruptive business models, develop new products and drive differentiated customer experiences with IoT. HARMAN’s expertise from device to cloud and enterprise applications enables us to design end-to-end, scalable IoT solutions.

Earlier this year, HARMAN Connected Services announced a partnership with Samsung to build solutions on the Samsung ARTIK^TM Smart IoT platform to provide secure and interoperable IoT products and services. The platform provides complete solutions for products and value-added services for several industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities, homes and buildings, enabling customers to easily manage interactions between devices and data sources, monitor devices remotely, and extend the life of products in the field with over-the-air updates. In Q1 2018, HARMAN also announced its engineering partnership with Samsung SmartThings, an IoT technology platform which allows consumers to turn a traditional home into a smart home with sensors, smart devices and a native mobile application.

TREND 3: SMARTER DEVICES WITH AI, VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS & AUDIO

As voice-enabled technology has evolved from a novel function to a truly intuitive, connected solution, HARMAN has been at the forefront. For example, drawing on our extensive enterprise IoT solutions, HARMAN is providing the “central nervous system” to the IBM Watson “brain” to create voice-enabled cognitive rooms for business-to-business clients. This technology is set to transform healthcare by providing patients with the ability to control their own environment, answer questions, and request information.

Powered by HARMAN Connected Services, Samsung’s voice-powered digital assistant, Bixby, makes consumers’ phones, tablets, smart refrigerators and TVs helpful by learning their routine, the apps they like to use, and assists in completing tasks. Also announced in line with Bixby, Samsung’s Galaxy Home stands as a unique offering in the growing smart speaker market as it provides both cutting-edge intelligence and premium sound. Integrating HARMAN’s audio legacy with the intelligence of Bixby and the connectivity of SmartThings, the Galaxy Home smart speaker becomes the hub of consumers’ connected experience.

Together, we’re elevating experiences for consumers and businesses worldwide by increasing our investment in engineering cutting-edge technologies around remarkable mega trends, including voice assistant technologies and AI, IoT, cybersecurity solutions, personalization and more.

The advancements described above represent incredible technological breakthroughs which are combining to create entirely new, connective experiences for consumers around the world – and, those advancements are just the very beginning of an entirely new era of connective tech. Stay tuned to the HARMAN and Samsung social channels in the lead up to CES to stay all up-to-date.