They have been at the forefront of researchers in recent years, but they were faced with a major obstacle, namely a lack of security. However, it seems that the end of that fear has come. In fact, Bluetooth technology and ultra-wideband have accelerated the development of new digital keys.

This will be the year that mobiles will open their cars. “One of the biggest advances in Low Energy Bluetooth (BLE) has been the ability to use your smartphone as a virtual key. In fact, a number of important players in the market are working to spread the digital keys and allow consumers to use their phones to unlock and switch on their cars ”. Erik Peters is head of International Product Marketing at Dialog Semiconductor, which manufactures chips, and believes the first large balance of this type of key will soon arrive.

For its part, Bosch took the latest development of the keyless opening system, Perfect Keyless, to the CES in Las Vegas in 2020: from now on it will be able to broadcast data via ultra-wideband, allowing devices to be found with a specification of less than ten centimeters; this way, if someone is using a broadcast device to connect the signal between the key and the car, this will detect that the key is not nearby and will not leave the opening. “Ultra-wideband is the only technology that can protect a car from theft,” says Lars Reger, CTO of the NXP component company. Some Volkswagen models have started to be used in physical keys, but they will be equally important in virtual ones.

Another front for cybercrime?

It is often said that a hacker can hack a standard access system for a keyless car in less than five seconds, but brands are stating that drivers should not worry more than they should about security. “Systems of this type will have the same level of security as others, such as credit cards,” assures SEAT Technical Center engineer Martin Hupel. “We are using digital keys in Respiro’s car-sharing fleet, as well as in an internal fleet pilot project for our employees. We are also working to bring the door opening system via mobile to the end customer, ensuring maximum protection, ”he adds.

One of the companies most often employed by car manufacturers is Bosch. Perfectly Keyless's application is "the key to preventing the theft of digital cars," says Harald Kröger, president of the automotive electronics division of the German company.

This app works from a virtual key located on the owner’s phone. The vehicle's sensors recognize the phone incorrectly, as the microchips used by the mobile phone to manage Bluetooth communication are like a fingerprint: the car automatically unlocks the door on that phone. From now on, as Bosch announced at CES in Las Vegas, the car and the app will also communicate via ultra-wideband.

A very similar security system is one that uses Continental Smart Access technology. This allows vehicle owners to receive various virtual keys. Owners can share these keys with other users if they wish.

On the other hand, and in line with this, Honda e will hit the market this year. This new car from Honda will not need a key or a petrol station. Why? If this new vehicle is electric and will open with the CoSmA app.

As a result, digital keys have many advantages, not to mention that the owner of the vehicle can leave access to his car to a third party for a period of time