This is the next generation of the Digital Key using an iPhone.
The new version offers enhanced security measures.
The Digital Key replaces an actual key with the phone.
BMW was one of the pioneers involved in developing and using the smartphone as a key for their vehicle. The project began back in 2018 and quickly caught on – no one ever loses their phone, unlike their keys. With the all-new electric iX, BMW will launch the next generation called Digital Key Plus.
The convenience aspect will come from the fact that the phone, aka the key, will no longer have to be removed from a handbag or pocket to work. The new “Plus” portion of this feature relies on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, the same technology found on the U1 chip of iPhone. It offers exceptionally precise localization for the greatest possible security.
BMW iX with BMW Digital Key Plus | Photo: BMW
The enhanced security is perhaps the most important aspect of the new Digital Key Plus. The UWB’s precision also guarantees that relay attacks, where the radio signal is jammed or intercepted, are not possible. Both Apple and BMW have closely worked with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to provide a global standard for the automotive industry.
The new BMW iX is expected to arrive in North America in early 2022.
