BMW Says That Car Keys Could Eventually Be Replaced By Mobile Apps

Our car keys over the years have evolved where these days there are cars that can start in non-traditional ways, such as using a car, pressing a button, and so on. However could it be that eventually we might get to a point where we could start our cars using nothing but a mobile app? That’s what BMW thinks the future could look like.

Speaking to Reuters, BMW board member Ian Robertson said in an interview at the Frankfurt car show that one day the future of car keys could simply be a mobile app. Robertson was citing the ubiquity of smartphones and how it is with everyone at all times. “Honestly, how many people really need it. They never take it out of their pocket, so why do I need to carry it around?”

He goes on to add that BMW is currently looking into the idea and whether or not it is feasible. “We are looking at whether it is feasible, and whether we can do it. Whether we do it right now or at some point in the future, remains to be seen.” While we do agree that smartphones are on our person at all times and it makes sense that one might use it to replace the traditional pen and paper to take notes and make lists, turning it into a car key might raise some problems.

For example what if you lose your phone? What if it gets stolen? Or what if your battery dies, how do you get into your car then? At the moment carmakers such as Hyundai are experimenting with similar concepts, like with its Blue Link app where users can control their cars remotely.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Transportation
Tags: Apps, bmw, _cold