BMW Digital Key 2.0 revealed

BMW has revealed its next-generation Digital Key and it’s due for global release by the end of this year.

Embedded in your smartphone, the upgraded keyless entry/starting system employs a security chip that works separately to your smartphone’s operating system.

This means that even if your phone has died, NFC-based technology will still allow access to the vehicle.

Like the virtual key it replaces, BMW Digital Key release 2.0 can lock and unlock the vehicle, start the engine remotely and be shared with others, all via the BMW Connected app.

And in the future? BMW reckons we’ll be using not only phones, but various smart devices, watches and other ‘wearables’ to access our cars and operate a range of functions not possible with a conventional key.

The German car-maker today also announced the BMW Digital Key 3.0 will use ultra-wideband (UBW) technology, allowing the third-gen key to offer maximum anti-theft protection while enabling precise localisation between the device and vehicle.

This means owners will no longer need to hold their smartphone up to the door to unlock it – they can just leave it in their pocket.

BMW says it plays a leading role in the seamless integration of smart devices with vehicles by providing customers with simple, connected and keyless access to their cars.

Back in 2017 at the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), BMW said establishing cross-industry, standardised technologies and global security standards for digital vehicle access via multiple devices was one of its ‘key’ goals.

A new-generation standardised ecosystem for vehicle access -- enabling new functions across multiple devices and different manufacturers – has now been announced as a result of that.

“Our customers want cross-vendor interoperability,” said Olaf Muller, BMW Group’s head of Development Digital Access Systems.

“Standardisation is the only way to achieve this; proprietary solutions are no longer beneficial.”