Owners of certain Kia models in the U.S. market can now control a number of vehicle functions.
These include start and stopping the engine as well as heating or cooling their cars, depending on model and model year—using simple voice commands from the comfort of their home.
Called UVO Skill, the system also allows owners to lock doors, sound the horn and flash the lights, and it can start and stop charging their plug-in or electric vehicle whenever they choose.
The system requires a device with Amazon Alexa like Echo or Echo Dot and one of the following Kia vehicles available in the U.S. market with compatible UVO hardware: Niro PHEV, Soul EV, Optima PHEV and K900. UVO Skill set-up is easy via the Alexa companion app.
“We constantly strive to find new ways to make our vehicles more user-friendly,” says Orth Hedrick, Vice President, Planning & Strategy, Kia Motors America. “The UVO Skill for Alexa makes it easier and more convenient for owners of compatible Kias to use their vehicles. The UVO Skill is one more enhanced feature that reflects Kia’s forward-thinking spirit.”