Volvo’s cars will soon open with just an app and no need for car keys
Forget keys, you'll soon be able to unlock and drive your car with just the swipe of a finger on a smartphone.
Volvo is the first car maker to ditch keys for a smartphone app that will do everything from unlocking the door to starting the engine.
The digital key works via an app using bluetooth technology to communicate with the car and will become available to customers next year.
“At Volvo we are not interested in technology for the sake of technology. New technology has to make our customers’ lives easier and save them time. Mobility needs are evolving and so are our customers’ expectation to access cars in an uncomplicated way,” said Volvo's product strategy boss Henrik Green.
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“Our innovative digital key technology has the potential to completely change how a Volvo can be accessed and shared. Instead of sitting idle in a parking lot the entire day, cars could be used more often and efficiently by whoever the owner wishes.”
The digital key can be shared among family and friends and Volvo believes it could make renting a car easier, with customers simply sent digital access without having to queue.
“There are obviously many permutations when it comes to how this shared key technology can be used. We look forward to seeing how else this technology might be used in the future and we welcome any and all ideas,” said new car director for special products Martin Rosenqvist.