Imagine turning on your car’s dashboard and then enjoying all your favorite TV shows, movies, and games displayed on the large infotainment screens that come in modern cars. That’s the vision of LG PlayWare, a cutting-edge in-car entertainment system that promises to change the way we experience entertainment on the road. In other words: LG is moving beyond home appliances by rolling out PlayWare, a software suite that brings the next generation of entertainment and infotainment systems to cars.

Currently, PlayWear is available in Korea, China, Europe and the US. It is currently available only in Hyundai and Kia cars. But considering that both car brands have a strong presence in India, LG is working on launching PlayWear in India as well, though there is no fixed date for the same yet.

In an exclusive conversation with India Today Tech, Valentin Janiot, Leader of LG’s Vision in Mobility Software for the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) era, shares insights on how Playware is set to transform the in-car experience.

“Simply put, LG PlayWare provides a similar experience to the TV in your car,” says Geniot. “When you launch PlayWare, you press a button, and it’s like turning on your TV. You can enjoy all the services and content you have on your TV.”

This means drivers and passengers can access a wide range of content from partners like Netflix and YouTube, and LG is also working on bringing plenty of local content to the platform.

However, this exciting technology is not available in India right now. “It is in our plans to launch in the future. Currently, it is available in Korea, China, Europe and the US, and we plan to expand from there,” Janiot said.

The timeline for launching Playware in India is still uncertain, but the expansion plans are clear.

Kia and Hyundai first, and even further ahead

For now, PlayWear will be limited to Kia and Hyundai models. “We hope to expand to other brands in the future,” says Janiot. This approach allows LG to focus on perfecting the technology before rolling it out to a wider market.

For instance, Kia offers a wide range of models from the budget-friendly Sonet to the more luxurious Carnival. When asked if PlayWear will be available across all these models, Janiot said the decision rests with the carmakers. “It depends on Kia’s decision. We cannot comment on any specific model at this point of time,” he said.

One of the most distinctive features of Playware is its seamless integration with the car’s native systems, which sets it apart from competitors such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. “Playware is completely native, you don’t need to use your phone. It offers a better user experience and is more integrated with the car’s features,” explains Janiot.

This means that users can enjoy a seamless and more entertaining experience without the hassle of connecting their phones.

In addition, Playware offers unique functionalities that improve the in-car entertainment experience. “We give car manufacturers the choice of what they want to offer, and then customers can decide what they want to use,” says Janiot, comparing it to choosing between using Google Chromecast or the TV’s native system.

The technology behind Playware is both sophisticated and adaptable. “We are compatible with most of the major chipsets on the market today. It is a completely software-based solution, so we have no dependency on a specific chipset,” explains Janiot. This flexibility ensures that Playware can be implemented in a wide range of vehicles without hardware limitations.

Built-in Security

The idea of ​​having Netflix and YouTube in your car sounds exciting, but there are concerns about safety. Janiot addresses this. “There are driver restrictions for the central display, which means playware cannot be used while driving. It is mainly for passengers or for use when the car is parked,” he says. This ensures that drivers are not distracted and that the system is used responsibly.

One of the challenges in the Indian market is the varying sizes of screens in cars. Janiot confirms that the playware has been optimised for the larger displays usually found in high-end cars. “We want to ensure a good user experience. Content partners require proper displays, which are usually found in high-end cars,” he says. However, with mid-range cars in Europe and the US getting larger displays, LG expects a similar trend in India as well.

Another important aspect of playware is internet connectivity. Janiot emphasises, “You need a connected car. Connectivity is essential for security, OTA updates and safety.” While users can use their mobile phones as hotspots, the best experience comes from cars that have built-in internet support.

Looking to the future, LG is not limiting itself to just Hyundai and Kia. “We are expanding. We are in talks to secure additional deals with other OEMs and content partners,” Janiot revealed. This expansion will bring more partnerships and content options, making Playware an even more attractive proposition for car manufacturers and consumers.

Apart from Playware, LG is also developing advanced technology like MetaWear to improve the driving experience. MetaWear comes with real-time augmented reality navigation, which provides a more immersive way to navigate. Unlike traditional map displays in apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps, MetaWear shows real-life views of roads, traffic scenarios and navigation directions directly on your car’s dashboard. Although MetaWear may take some time to be integrated into infotainment systems globally and even more for Indian cars, its arrival promises to bring a new navigation experience.