Volkswagen, LG Partner To Develop Connected Car Platform

As more and more auto manufacturers gear up for production of autonomous cars, they are beginning to partner with technology companies to develop more connected vehicles. The latest agreement is between Volkswagen and LG Electronics, who will work "over the next few years" to develop a platform that will enable a car to communicate with a driver's mobile device. The two companies will develop technology that will allow drivers to control devices in their cars, as well as inside their homes. 

Specifically, there are three goals that VW and LG hope to achieve through their partnership. They plan to develop software that can enable drivers to turn off lights and appliances or set your security systems from the road. They also plan on developing a notification center that can deliver messages and provide updates to the driver in real-time, as well as creating a next-generation infotainment system for connected cars.

Some of this technology was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this past January on Volkswagen's BUDD-e concept. LG already produces smart washers, dryers, and refrigerators, in addition to it' like of smartphones. 

The one thing that this announcement didn't include was any news that LG and VW would be making autonomous cars. Instead, it seems their goal is to incorporate intelligence and information into the car's surroundings, rather than make the car itself smarter.

Neither company has given a timeline for rolling out these new technologies.