Smartphones to Replace Car Keys

[kmav23]

https://www.ccsinsight.com/blog/smar...lace-car-keys/

14 May 2019 | 16:00 GMT

Smartphones to Replace Car Keys

Several high-end car-makers already support digital car key services, allowing drivers to use their smartphones as advanced car keys, but this is still an exclusive feature, far from widely available.

Last Wednesday, the Car Connectivity Consortium announced the release of the Digital Key Release 1.0 specification, a new standard for giving smartphones the ability to lock, unlock and start a car. And a lot more.

The consortium is a global, cross-industry organisation that develops specifications and solutions for smartphone and in-vehicle connectivity. It counts more than 70 members cutting across the auto and handset industries, and includes leading car-makers such as BMW, GM, Hyundai and Volkswagen, as well as phone-makers like Huawei, LG and Samsung. Component suppliers including Gemalto, NXP Semiconductors and Qualcomm are also members of the organisation.

By using near-field communication technology focused on the security of a smartphone-based virtual key system, the specification allows car manufacturers to securely transmit a digital key to smart devices. In addition to unlocking vehicles, the digital key will also let car owners start the engine and share access to their car through their smartphone.

There’s a convenience factor with this development. People will be able to use their smartphones to automatically lock, unlock and start their cars when within their proximity, like they do with key fobs. But the specification also offers more advanced key features similar to those found in current smart door locks.

Given the growth of the sharing economy and peer-to-peer behaviour, Digital Key goes on to support more advanced uses and could possibly spark the global vehicle-sharing market in much the same way that smart door locks have become a key enabler for Airbnb.

The standard enables car owners to share their keys as well as give temporary access to their vehicles, with the ability to digitally send someone a key and later retract it. Such a feature will allow them to rent their cars while the cars sit idle. It stands to make car sharing relatively easy and lower the cost of ownership for buyers who only drive their own vehicles periodically.

The potential for disruption is interesting. Like Uber shook up taxi services and Airbnb the hotel and real estate markets, smartphone-based digital car keys that can be remotely provisioned could disrupt the auto-rental business and others related to the car industry, for example, insurance.

It was always inevitable that these ubiquitous smart devices would become the car key of the future (see, for example, A Key Industry under Pressure). Smartphones and smartwatches always seem to find one more purpose.

[kmav23]

More convenient and cheaper then paying up to $500 for a replacement key fob from car dealers.

[Adamz Ghia]

Just wait till your phone gets hacked.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by kmav23

More convenient and cheaper then paying up to $500 for a replacement key fob from car dealers.

exactly what the crooks are thinking

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

Just wait till your phone gets hacked.

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

exactly what the crooks are thinking

Easier to crack key fob than a phone.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Big_Daz]

Great, I lose my phone WAY more than I lose my car key's...lol..

But not at all surprised its going that way.

[Tonz]

I drove a Nissan Xtrail yesterday with push button start.

Good gawd thats what my first car had back in '64 oh and a crank handle.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by kmav23

More convenient and cheaper then paying up to $500 for a replacement key fob from car dealers.

Nobody in their right mind gets a new key from a dealer.

[Citroënbender]

It’s all killing time until someone like Cochlear team up with smartphone makers and the whole “carrying a phone” deal is effectively on the wane.

Face ID with recursive in-operation checks and possibly further biometric ID, would be simpler again, no phone needed.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

It’s all killing time until someone like Cochlear team up with smartphone makers and the whole “carrying a phone” deal is effectively on the wane.



Face ID with recursive in-operation checks and possibly further biometric ID, would be simpler again, no phone needed.

Already is... Land Rover sell a waterproof band that replaces a key if you want to get out and about without needing to carry keys

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by kypez

Already is... Land Rover sell a waterproof band that replaces a key if you want to get out and about without needing to carry keys

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Thats a better idea then the phone. Should make it a Landover watch it would be pretty good.

[Ben73]

I see the benefits, but I can see it going badly quite easy too. More easy than losing your car keys.

[MITCHAY]

I guarantee it's a lot harder to hack this to steal a car than what they have been doing flogging cars for ages.

Someone tried to break into my garage the other week, presumably saw my car and said why bother. PIN code and 6 point security system.

No way those dumb ****s could hack these cars.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by Tonz

I drove a Nissan Xtrail yesterday with push button start.

Good gawd thats what my first car had back in '64 oh and a crank handle.

On Thursday the boss asked me to wash the new school vehicle as it went throiugh the Midlands Highway roadworks and was filthy. She gave me the key and realised it was a a fobby. Never used a fob before and this was only brief but it was fine . It was a brand new Subaru Forester. Nice car.

With the smartphone idea I suppose we'd get used to it and if that's how the world is moving , so be it. Either that or stick with our old bombs with keys until they rust into oblivion .

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Tonz

I drove a Nissan Xtrail yesterday with push button start.

Good gawd thats what my first car had back in '64 oh and a crank handle.

Yes, my 45 year old Kenworth has one of those.

[Burnout]

Can't see the point of this really, just as easily misplaced/lost as a key.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Burnout

Can't see the point of this really, just as easily misplaced/lost as a key.

I don't think so. I've never lost a phone (especially with Find my Phone services available). I've lost plenty of keys over the years.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[foxtrot3]

Hi. So I take my car in for service and then hop on the bus with my phone and the dealer has a car with no keys to use, we already have enough trouble with people who have the fob in their pocket just walking around when we need to move a car. Cheers MD

[kypez]

Originally Posted by foxtrot3

Hi. So I take my car in for service and then hop on the bus with my phone and the dealer has a car with no keys to use, we already have enough trouble with people who have the fob in their pocket just walking around when we need to move a car. Cheers MD

Actually, you usually get a backup that you give when you get a service. For example, Tesla give you a plastic card that is similar to a credit card that you can tap against the car to unlock it.

Also, even if you take the keys away, a Tesla can be remote unlocked and started through the app as can more and more cars these days.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by kypez

I don't think so. I've never lost a phone (especially with Find my Phone services available). I've lost plenty of keys over the years.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I've never lost either.
Seems some people have trouble finding almost anything they own.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Burnout

I've never lost either.

Seems some people have trouble finding almost anything they own.

To be fair, it was my sister who lost my car keys. Much easier giving her access to an app Ahab she needs to borrow the car than a key fob.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Magna]

I think dropping the phone and smashing the screen would be the more of an issue.

[wodahs]

no officer i wasnt on my mobile , its needed to start the vehicle

no officer im not drink driving , theres no keys in the ignition



disclaimer :~ yes im taking the p!ss , and i own a vehicle that has push button and can be started remotely

[Sprintey]

The Landrover watch is a good idea.

Let's see what happens to my smartphone when I take it in my wetsuit.

Also, if my smartphone unlocks my car by proximity, can I stash the smartphone in the car while I go for a surf, or will it leave the car unlocked as it is nearby? That would be a pain. As would hiding the smartphone in the dunes, just to get it away from the car.

There's a really simple solution, it's called a stainless steel key.

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

The Landrover watch is a good idea.



Let's see what happens to my smartphone when I take it in my wetsuit.



Also, if my smartphone unlocks my car by proximity, can I stash the smartphone in the car while I go for a surf, or will it leave the car unlocked as it is nearby? That would be a pain. As would hiding the smartphone in the dunes, just to get it away from the car.



There's a really simple solution, it's called a stainless steel key.

You'd have to unlock your phone to have NFC trigger... So no, just being near the car won't be enough. It's more secure than someone getting your keys and having full access to your car

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Sprintey]

Cool, so stashing it should be OK when the Landrover watch becomes the default.

I do wonder if the microwave emissions from the watch will register on the ampullae of Lorenzini on the local Great White Sharks, but really that's a post for a different forum...

[kypez]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Cool, so stashing it should be OK when the Landrover watch becomes the default.

I do wonder if the microwave emissions from the watch will register on the ampullae of Lorenzini on the local Great White Sharks, but really that's a post for a different forum...

Its a bit cumbersome to activate but the idea is you leave your keys in the car and use the wristband (not watch, its a wrist band), it disabled the keys inside the car and you can only open the car with the wristband. The band itself if full waterproof and can be used in the ocean without issues.

Only issue is if a shark gets your hand or your tear the strap off (not sure how, but I guess it could happen) but I'd suggest you have bigger issues at that point.

Little video if you can be bothered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ttlpkbeINU

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by Burnout

I've never lost either.
Seems some people have trouble finding almost anything they own.

Now ya dunnit....I hope not but please don't start now...I'm a bit superstitious but go and touch a bit of wood now ...

That aside , I suppose this all means that cars might have an alternative method to access and start the car not the only way...right ?

[kmav23]

The endgame is to be cashless, walletless and keyless and only need carry your smartphone as the only item you need to carry.

Cashless - No cash or cards as you use NFC on Tap and Pay smartphone

Medicare card govt cards - Digital copies now available on your phone.

Drivers licence - Digital licence already trialing parts of Sydney and will be rolled out soon.

Opal Card - can use smartphone NFC to pay

Keys - Cars and homes locks and any key locks will be NFC locks opened by your smartphone.

Once the digital drivers licence is rolled out then i dont need to carry anything besides my smartphone when i go out.

The smartphone is one if the most amazing inventions to the human race, everyone needs to carry one.

For a male just taking your smartphone in your pocket is would be awesome, instead of a thick wallet full of cards and many keys.

If you lose your phone you can trace it and wipe all content remotely and install in a new phone or keep a spare smartphone at home.

[Tickford.]

Not new tech. Been using my Garmin Smartwatch for the last 3+ years as my car keys. The phone is my spare. Never needed it though (yet).

https://au.pcmag.com/smartwatches/37...nlock-your-car

https://jalopnik.com/hyundais-smartw...loc-1677126016

https://www.computerworld.com/articl...-car-keys.html