Google brings its Digital Car Key feature at the Google I/O keynote. This features to be available on Android 12 in select Pixel smartphones and Samsung Galaxy devices. According to Google Android Auto which is now active in over 100 million vehicles worldwide will now function wirelessly in a upcoming vehicles from most carmakers.
Digital Car Key turns a user’s smartphone into a virtual car key and will allow them to lock, unlock and even start their car, utilising near-field communication (NFC) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies.
NFC requires one to physically tap their phone to the car to lock/unlock it.
UWB to eliminate that hassle totally.
UWB radios relay has low-power pulses to confirm and securely establish their location with this users will essentially be able to gain access to their vehicle or start it up without even having to take the phone out of their pocket.
UWB radios are already part of a range of Apple smartphones and the Apple Watch Series 6, and Google is expected to introduce them on future Pixel phones as well as on its wearables, beginning later this year.
Till today there is only one vehicle that supports UWB communication that is BMW iX electric crossover which is only available in a handful of markets overseas.
BMW start rolling out NFC across most of its models abroad in 2020, and backwards compatibility could be one of the reasons for Google’s Digital Car Key function to also utilise NFC which isn’t as hassle-free a solution as the one provided by UWB.
BMW models are expected to feature UWB radios and also Hyundai and Kia are expect to offer this feature on their coming models.
Google has also confirm users will also be able to securely share the digital car key with family members and friends.
Google also announce that future vehicles from BMW and Ford will come with the ‘Fast Pair’ feature in which users enable to pair their Android smartphones with their vehicle with a single tap.
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