SK Telecom JV with Hong Kong-Based EV Maker Byton

South Korean telecommunications company SK Telecom said it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong-based electric vehicle maker Byton to collaborate on the development of next-generation mobility solutions.

During the Consumers Electronics Show 2020 currently held in Las Vegas, SK Telecom announced its joint venture (JV) with Byton in creating in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system that features the mobile carrier’s digital content and services. The fifth-generation (5G)-powered system will provide seamless car entertainment and navigation services, as well as driver-assist services.

Byton president Daniel Kirchert met with Vice President and Head of MNO Business of SK Telecom Ryu Young-sang, signing a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday.

Byton is a Hong Kong-based Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker co-founded by Daniel Kirchert and former company CEO Carsten Breitfeld.

Daniel Kirchert said that with SK Telecom’s abundant technical expertise and resources in the telecommunications area is entirely in line with the vision and ambitions of the carmaker to develop smart vehicles in the mobility sector. He added that the cooperation between the two companies would maximize the potential of mobility services as well as uplift the experience of its users.

China-based Future Mobility Corp. (FMC), Byton’s parent company, signed a memorandum of agreement last year with South Korean auto parts maker Myongshin to develop an all-electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) called M-byte.

The M-byte EVs features a 48-inch display and will likely to integrate the in-vehicle infotainment system developed by SK Telecom. Approximately 50,000 units of M-byte models will be produced at its plant in the southwestern port city of Gunsan, South Korea, starting in 2021.

SK Telecom’s infotainment system features video and music streaming services, and mobility services such as SKT’s vehicle navigation system T Map. A live high-definition map update, which is essential to self-driving cars, will also be available on the platform.