The Car Connectivity Consortium today announced that its Digital Key 3.0 specification with support for ultra-wideband and Bluetooth LE connectivity will be available to members such as Apple by mid-2021.
At WWDC 2020, Apple introduced a new NFC-based digital car key feature that allows users to unlock and start their vehicle by holding a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch near the driver's door. Similar to credit cards and boarding passes, digital car keys are stored in the Wallet app on devices running iOS 13.6 and watchOS 6.2.8 or later. So far, the feature is only compatible with select BMW models manufactured after July 1, 2020.
Apple devices with U1 chip are required
With support for ultra-wideband, Digital Key 3.0 will enable hands-free, location-based keyless entry to vehicles and other location-based features for an improved user experience. The specification will allow Apple to improve its Car Key feature so that users can unlock and start a compatible vehicle without taking their iPhone out of their pocket. NFC will continue to be supported as a "mandatory back-up solution." The improved ultra-wideband version of Apple's Car Key feature would require devices with the U1 chip, such as iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models. BMW had previously announced plans to offer Digital Key Plus, an improved version of Apple's Car Key feature, in its new iX electric vehicle. BMW explainedthat the feature will be available in Europe from late 2021 and in North America from early 2022.
Car Connectivity Consortium: Ultra-broadband prevents relay attacks
In addition to hands-free calling and location determination, the precision of ultra-wideband should ensure that relay attacks, in which the radio signal is disrupted or intercepted, are not possible, leading to improved security, according to BMW. The Car Connectivity Consortium explained:
Digital Key Release 3.0 addresses security and usability by authenticating the digital key between a vehicle and the mobile device via Bluetooth Low Energy and then establishing a secure ranging session using UWB, allowing the vehicle to perform a secure and accurate ranging to locate the mobile device.
Apple has previously stated that the new version of its Car Key feature with ultra-wideband support will be available in 2021. However, an exact time frame is not known. (Image: Apple)
