BMW has started connecting its cars 17 years ago. In 1997, BMW was the first carmaker to introduce the e-call in their vehicles. In 2008, they were the first to provide free internet access in the automotive industry. In 2011, BMW integrated with third party app developers such as Spotify to enhance their drivers’ in-car experiences. And last year, BMW launched the BMW Connected Drive Store and navigation update “over-the-air”.

Most of the BMW fleet is now connected; the “Internet of Cars” is already here today. In the “Internet of Things,” the boundaries between home, office and other devices are disappearing. In the “Internet of Cars,” the most fascinating of devices – the automobile – are connected to personal digital assistant – seamlessly, safely, and easily.

By collaborating with companies in other industries like Samsung, which provides new eco-systems for their customers, BMW has been connecting the customers’ world to the company itself. Notable examples are the BMW Remote App, which allows users to control their BMW cars and know about their cars’ state anytime with the connected Samsung Gear S; the latest and world’s first “BMW Touch Command,” a Samsung tablet that is fully integrated into the environment of the car and comes with a dedicated BMW HMI.

BMW has also been connecting its cars to the Smart Home. For example, the Solar Car port can provide wireless inductive charging. Users are informed by their Smart TVs about the “Traffic situation” or “charge status” of their BMWs. Frickenstein claimed that Samsung’s Gear S, tablets and Smart Home integration are three steps towards the “Internet of Cars”.

Frickenstien strongly believes that connectivity will be the key technology for highly automated driving in the future. He predicts that car sensor information will be shared over the cloud with all other cars – swarm intelligence straight ahead.

For the full version of the BMW executive’s presentation, watch the video below:

At the CES 2015 Opening Keynote, as BK Yoon, President and CEO at Samsung Electronics, addressed the world on IoT, Hawkinson was also there to share his two cents. Now, working with Samsung as a part of Samsung, SmartThings’ services not only work with all of Samsung’s wearable devices like Gear S and all its connected appliances, it’s been expanding ever since.

Hawkinson explained that the SmartThings ecosystem is now compatible with more devices than any other IoT or smart home platform in the world. “It gives consumers the freedom of choice across all top IoT services and applications — from security and energy savings to entertainment, health and beyond.”

Along with new SmartThings Hub and Sensors and an optional Premium Service, SmartThings also announced new integrations on the open platform including Netgear and D-Link cameras, Somfy window shades, Philips hue lighting, Honeywell thermostats, Chamberlain garage door openers and more. All its services will be available nationwide in April.

Also, as each person, family and country has different needs, a large, no, a huge developer community is required – you need all the inspiration and imagination from the different people. Not only the IoT software and IoT hardware, we need a truly open approach that embraces developers. Well, according to Hawkinson, “the number of developers working with the SmartThings platform has doubled since the partnership with Samsung.”

For more about what Alex Hawkinson had to share at the CES 2015 Opening Keynote, check out the video below: