Xiaomi’s smart watch serves as remote controller of NIO’s vehicles

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese smart phone giant Xiaomi and EV startup NIO have reached cooperation that is to make Xiaomi’s smart watch function as a remote car key to the latter's vehicles, according to a post on NIO's WeChat account.

The latest crossover cooperation underscores the important role smart wearables play in terms of thorough interaction with users. Of those, smart watch is the most significant one.

(Photo source: NIO's WeChat account)

Through downloading the NIO app from the Xiaomi App store to one's smart watch, a car owner is able to check the car's real-time conditions, such as remaining battery capacity and range, the status of car doors, windows and trunks (open or closed), and receive the warning once the tire pressure is abnormal.

Besides, the user can do some remote operations via his Xiaomi smart watch, such as locking and unlocking car doors, and turning on/off windows and in-car air conditioner. The tool on wrist can help the car owner to pinpoint the location where his car is parked by triggering the vehicle-mounted horn and lights.

The function co-promoted with Xiaomi will be available for NIO's entire model lineup currently on sale. With more NFC (near-field communication) features to be introduced into the smart watch, both parties aim to enrich the intelligent driving experience for their users.

NIO attempts to strengthen consumers' brand awareness by creating its unique brand culture, and forming crossover alliance is one of the approaches. In last October, NIO and the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, Razer, officially announced the partnership under which the NIO ES6 Night Explorer Limited Edition Vehicle would make its debut at 2019 ChinaJoy at the Razer booth. Sale of the limited-run model that fused the performance of the NIO ES6 and the emblematic Razer color palette began at the same time.