Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker NIO is set to reveal the world’s first smartphone designed specifically for car owners at its Innovation Day event on September 21. The company aims to streamline the ownership experience by incorporating features such as vehicle unlocking, engine activation, and climate control into the device.
NIO’s CEO William Li has emphasized that the smartphone will possess flagship specifications and a competitive price point. While existing car apps, like Tesla’s and Apple’s CarKey, offer some of these functionalities, NIO’s smartphone aims to fully optimize the user experience for car owners.
According to Li, the phone will not only cater to NIO customers but will also serve as a high-quality flagship device for general users. The smartphone will be designed with NIO’s distinct industrial style, making it visually unique.
Currently, NIO collaborates with popular smartphone makers OnePlus, Oppo, and Vivo to enhance connectivity between the vehicles and mobile devices. These partnerships enable users to use their smartphones as car keys. While these handsets provide basic connectivity, NIO’s smartphone is expected to offer additional features that further simplify and enhance the car ownership experience.
The unveiling of NIO’s “phone designed for cars” is eagerly anticipated, as it promises to combine cutting-edge technology, competitive pricing, and a focus on user convenience.
Sources: CEO William Li