Digital key technology to improve with NFC, UWB tech

Digital key technology to improve with NFC, UWB tech

Some carmakers offer a “digital key” that allows owners to use a companion smartphone app to lock and unlock their cars, and even start the engine without needing a physical key. It’s certainly a convenient feature to have, but it does have some limitations.

However, these limitations will be minimised or eliminated altogether in the future, as the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) is finalising standards for the next-generation of digital key technology, which will be revealed later this year.

The consortium, which also includes smartphone and automotive manufacturers – such as BMW and Apple – aims to establish uniform technology standards that are necessary to improve digital vehicle access, with full functionality available on various customer devices from different vendors and regardless of the vehicle manufacturer. For now, there’s no word on when automakers will launch cars that comply with CCC’s upcoming specifications.

Digital key technology to improve with NFC, UWB tech

In light of this, the new Digital Key Release 2.0 specification put forth by the CCC will employ near-field communication (NFC) technology. This sees the use of a dedicated security chip that works separately from the smartphone operating system. As such, the chip will still function even if the smartphone’s battery is too low or unable to start for whatever reason.

Other enhancements will come with the Digital Key Release 3.0 specification, which is based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) in combination with ultra-wideband (UWB). This will offer better anti-theft protection, more precise localisation between the device and the vehicle, as well as improved convenience as you will no longer need to hold your smartphone directly up to the door handle to unlock the car.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Lets See on Nov 13, 2019 at 5:11 pm

    Lets see. So to steal the car, you just need to steal the phone? No biggie, eh?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Abang2 Sambung Bayar on Nov 13, 2019 at 5:39 pm

      Same like car key lah. So why make noise?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
      • Car keys more difficult to steal than phone you dimwit.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
        • Snowden on Nov 15, 2019 at 1:50 pm

          Car keyhole lock can be picked easily by thief. Or they either pickpocket or breaking into premise to grab the key.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Driver on Nov 13, 2019 at 6:23 pm

      I guess it should at least with finger print

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • alexa bot on Nov 14, 2019 at 1:29 am

      No point stealing the phone if you can’t unlock the phone or and unlock the digital key app to unlock the car door locks…..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Susukotak on Nov 13, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    expecting cars battery life will be no longer than 8 month

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • C.P. MOHAN on Nov 13, 2019 at 6:04 pm

    leaving the limitations aside. convenience, REALLY. Push battery technology

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • alldisc on Nov 13, 2019 at 7:10 pm

    The anti theft Ford designed for its cars using smart key recently is pretty good actually. The keyfob sense when there is no movement (key does not shake, knocked or vibrate) it will go into sleeping mode. So it will stop any communicating wave signals for the car to unlock and start by remote.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • vivizurianti on Nov 14, 2019 at 12:06 pm

    if HP battery flat and cannot turn on, your car is simply a paperweight with wheels.

    Anyway, I am sure the engineers had thought about such possibility.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Engineer on Nov 14, 2019 at 4:03 pm

      Phone battery died, you can’t access car or call for help. Engineers call it: You’re Screwed Big Time.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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