Hyundai is attempting to enhance the driving experience even more for its customers by launching its Blue Link application for smartwatches to allow drivers to remote lock, unlock and unstart their vehicles, suggesting that more car manufacturers will begin rolling out similar capabilities for smartwatches.

The Blue Link app, which is available for Android and iOS mobile devices, features the remote abilities as well as other important service information to promote safety in driving. Users will be able to link the Blue Link smartwatch app with the Bluetooth in their smartphones to tap the options or use voice command.

?At CES this year there were a slew of wrist car apps: BMV with Samsung, Volvo with Ericsson, Jaguar with Intel,? said Gary Schwartz, CEO of Impact Mobile, New York. ?The challenge is the ?cool factor? while overlooking long-term smart-car transformational goals.?

Easy convenience
Hyundai customers will likely appreciate the sheer convenience of tapping a button on their wrists to remote start their car or lock it. The cloud-based platform allows for the data to be accessed quickly.

The Blue Link companion app is currently available for Android Wear watches, with an update for the Apple Watch set to be available soon after its release.

Smartwatch owners will be able to tap icons or push the microphone symbol to use voice commands and say phrases such as ?Start my car,? ?Find my car? and ?Lock my car.? The remote functions are accessible from nearly any United States location as long as the customer?s smartphone retains its Internet and Bluetooth connection.

Other features include remote engine stop, remote flash lights, ability to call roadside assistance and call Blue Link. All features may be voice activated.

To use Blue Link on smartwatches, consumers must have the smartphone app downloaded on an accompanying device.

More mobile features
Hyundai has been ramping up its mobile strategy in the recent year and offering guests more freedom in interacting with their vehicles. 2015 Blue Link-equipped models include the Azera, Sonata and Genesis.

Last November, the car manufacturer introduced the Genesis Intelligent Assistant, a mobile app for Hyundai consumers that is designed to save time and offer convenient options as well as Blue Link features (see story).

The Intelligent Assistant syncs with smartphones and provides an engine timer, remote defroster and various reminders and notifications that are securely viewable from the car.

Hyundai is not the only brand gearing up to take advantage of the slew of smartwatches permeating the software and technology sector. Pizza brand Domino?s is rolling out a smartwatch app that allows customers to place their orders directly from their wrist (see story).

If Hyundai sees successful download numbers with its Blue Link app for smartwatches, it will likely have a significant effect on wearables and prompt many other car brands to follow in its footsteps.

However, some argue that this is simply a natural step for the automotive industry.

?In the 90s we could locate our cars off our keychain,? Mr. Schwartz said. ?Is this just evolutionary (not revolutionary) development??

Final Take
Alex Samuely is an editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York