Chinese EV maker Nio and the Midea-backed brand Colmo opened a joint experience store in Guangzhou that allows customers to test how cars and home devices can be linked through AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
The showroom is the first physical store in China dedicated to what the companies call “human–vehicle–home interconnection.”
The setup lets drivers control smart home appliances from inside Nio cars and automate settings based on when they leave or return home.
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in late July, Colmo presented “AI Home,” a smart home solution, and said it was also launching the first AI agent for residential settings.
Nio said its latest ES8 and ET9 models equipped with its latest Cedar operating system can connect with Colmo’s full suite of appliances, including air conditioners, water heaters, lighting, and curtains.
The system uses geofencing. When a vehicle approaches home, appliances can automatically adjust to preset conditions, such as cooling a room or preparing hot water.
When leaving, devices are shut down to save energy and improve safety.
Colmo’s Guangzhou chief Liu Zelin said the company believes that “the accumulation of good experiences will become positive word-of-mouth, attracting more and more consumers to become fans and users of Colmo and Nio.”
The companies said the store provides a full demonstration of these functions, which until now have largely been explained in marketing materials or shown as single-device controls.
Executives at the launch described the store as part of a broader plan to build out applications that link mobility and home ecosystems.
The two companies said they plan to expand the service to more Nio models and Colmo product categories in the future.
By the end of this year, Nio’s in-car voice assistant NOMI will also begin recommending personalized home-appliance settings based on a user’s habits inside and outside the car, further extending automation.
The Guangzhou opening drew attention as the first example of a joint physical store by an automaker and appliance brand in China.
Separately, Nio said earlier this week it will display four special-edition ET5 Touring models themed after Disney’s upcoming movie TRON: Ares.
The vehicles will be showcased at its showrooms in Chengdu, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen during China’s National Day holiday.
The collaboration with Disney marks a promotional campaign ahead of the film’s October 17 release in mainland China.
