BMW Group Research and Technology has developed a prototype for a multifunctional car key which enables cashless payment and personalised vehicle access.
The researchers have integrated a security chip into the key casing, which communicates across short distances by radio with a card reader.
In future the key could also be used for other transport systems. Electronic tickets for bus, train and air travel could all be stored on the chip. The credit card function in the security chip allows electronic payments to be carried out quickly, securely and conveniently from the prototype key.
Because the driver can be identified with total certainty, the key can now be linked to the car owner rather than any particular car. This also makes hiring cars and car sharing, for instance, even easier.
