BMW today announced plans to launch Digital Key Plus in the future. This is an enhanced version of the Apple car key function. It uses Ultra-Wideband (Ultra Wideband) technology, so the driver does not need to remove the iPhone from the pocket or bag.
You can unlock and start the vehicle.BMW said that this feature will be first introduced in its new iX electric car, and is expected to be available in Europe at the end of 2021 and North America in early 2022.
Apple introduced support for digital car keys in iOS 13.6 and later last year. Starting from the 5 series in 2021, and then to July 2020, BMW is the first and so far the only car manufacturer to enable this feature. More BMW models will be produced after the first generation.
BMW’s current digital car key function is based on NFC technology, requiring the driver to hold the iPhone near the cab door to unlock the vehicle.
Ultra-wideband is a short-distance, high-bandwidth wireless communication protocol with accurate spatial perception, which means that the iPhone can unlock and start the vehicle only by being near the vehicle. BMW said that the accuracy of UWB can also ensure relay attacks, that is, wireless signals will not be blocked or intercepted.
Apple began introducing ultra-wideband support on certain devices in 2019 and equipped the iPhone 11 model with the U1 chip, and then launched the iPhone 12 model last year. Apple Watch Series 6 models are also equipped with a U1 chip. Since watchOS 6.2.8 and later models provide Apple’s car key function, BMW’s Digital Key Plus function may be extended to Apple Watch.
As announced last year, BMW’s press release confirmed that Apple and BMW have worked closely with the Car Connectivity Alliance to establish the Ultra-Wideband Digital Key 3.0 specification to provide a global standard for the automotive industry.
In related news, “Korea Business News” today claimed that Hyundai Motor plans to adopt Apple’s digital car key function later this year. But the report did not specify whether Hyundai Motor plans to launch NFC or ultra-wideband version functions. Similar to credit cards and boarding passes, digital car keys are stored in the Wallet app of iPhone and Apple Watch.
