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.
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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Lets see. So to steal the car, you just need to steal the phone? No biggie, eh?
Same like car key lah. So why make noise?
Car keys more difficult to steal than phone you dimwit.
Car keyhole lock can be picked easily by thief. Or they either pickpocket or breaking into premise to grab the key.
I guess it should at least with finger print
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…..
Read 2nd last paragraph, with Digital Key Release 2.0 you can.
Can be hacked nowadays
Probably those android phone. You need FBI or NSA only can hack into locked IOS phone
expecting cars battery life will be no longer than 8 month
leaving the limitations aside. convenience, REALLY. Push battery technology
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.
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.
Phone battery died, you can’t access car or call for help. Engineers call it: You’re Screwed Big Time.