BMW working on concept credit card key fob
Click above for high-res gallery of the BMW credit card key fob
This is not the first time we've heard that BMW is developing a more efficient way to lose both your car keys and credit card information, and now more details have emerged about its multifunction smart key. The Smart Key, which contains a security chip that can talk to a card reader over short distances, may start out with a smaller function set than it ultimately ends up with as the technology matures. Storing access passes for public transportation and information to facilitate electronic payments are two abilities that BMW feels will eventually appeal to consumers, for instance. More interestingly, the key can be used to carry your personal preferences from car to car like a dongle. Owners would have the fob personalized to their ConnectedDrive preferences, which would then make those options available in any BMW, not just the owner's personal car. It's a novel way to ensure that your favorite radio stations and other services travel with you, provided you always insist on a BMW.
Gallery: BMW credit card key fob
[Source: BMW via 4 Wheels news]
| Autoschlüssel der Zukunft mit integrierter Kreditkarte | |
| 20.11.2008 |
| Die BMW Group Forschung und Technik hat einen Prototyp für einen multifunktionalen Autoschlüssel entwickelt, der bargeldloses Bezahlen und einen personalisierten Zutritt zum Fahrzeug ermöglicht. "Dafür haben wir im Forschungsprojekt zunächst einen Sicherheitschip im Schlüsselgehäuse integriert, der auf kurzen Strecken per Funk mit einem Kartenleser kommuniziert.", sagt Hans-Jörg Vögel, Projektleiter bei der BMW Group Forschung und Technik. Der Schlüssel könnte in Zukunft auch bei anderen Verkehrssystemen zum Einsatz kommen, so lassen sich auf dem Chip beispielsweise elektronische Fahrkarten für Bus und Bahn oder auch Flugtickets speichern. Durch die Kreditkartenfunktion im Sicherheitschip erlaubt der Prototyp, elektronische Zahlungen schnell, sicher und angenehm direkt mit dem Autoschlüssel auszuführen. Durch die Kombination des Autoschlüssels mit einer personifizierten Kreditkartefunktion sind viele zusätzliche Mobilitätsszenarien denkbar: Der Schlüsselinhaber kann so einen sicheren Zugang zu persönlichen Daten im Fahrzeug bekommen. Dies bedeutet, dass er auf seinem ConnectedDrive-Online-Zugang für persönliche Dienste im BMW Automobil zugriffsberechtigt sein wird - unabhängig davon, ob er in seinem eigenen Auto unterwegs ist oder ob er beispielsweise in einem BMW Mietwagen fährt. Der Fahrer weist sich hier über seinen privaten Schlüssel aus, womit sich das Fahrzeug an die individuellen Einstellungen des Nutzers anpasst. Der Zugriff auf persönliche Daten wie z. B. Adressbücher, favorisierte Radiosender oder persönliche Dienste- und Inhaltsabonnements wird durch den multifunktonalen Autoschlüssel aktiviert. Weil damit der Fahrer zweifelsfrei identifizierbar ist, kann der Schlüssel erstmals dem Besitzer und nicht mehr nur dem Auto zugeordnet werden. Auch das Mieten von Fahrzeugen oder das Car Sharing sind so noch einfacher realisierbar. "Mit dem Konzept, bargeldloses Bezahlen funktional in einen Autoschlüssel zu integrieren, arbeiten wir an der Kombination von Fahrzeugtechnologie und Lifestyle", sagte Prof. Raymond Freymann, der Leiter der BMW Group Forschung und Technik. Die BMW Group Forschung und Technik ist eine hundertprozentige Tochter der BMW AG und verantwortet seit 2003 die Forschungsthemen bei der BMW Group: VehicleTechnology (Fahrzeugtechnologie), CleanEnergy (Wasserstofftechnologie), EfficientDynamics (Intelligentes Energiemanagement/Alternative Antriebe), ConnectedDrive (Fahrerassistenz/Aktive Sicherheit) und ITDrive (IT- und Kommunikationstechnologie). Die rechtliche Eigenständigkeit als GmbH garantiert kreativen Freiraum und ein Maximum an Flexibilität. Einen weltweiten Zugang zu Trends und Technologien sichert ein international etabliertes Netzwerk mit den Stützpunkten in den USA (Palo Alto, CA und Clemson, SC), Japan (Tokio) sowie den Liaison Offices in Frankreich mit Eurécom (Sophia Antipolis) und in Deutschland (Saarbrücken) mit dem Deutschen Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz (DFKI GmbH). |
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
why not the LS2LS7? 1:50PM (12/04/2008)
This doesn't make any sense. What about people who drive two different cars?
This is the kind of "if you build it, they will come" bundling I don't get.
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MixiM 2:49PM (12/04/2008)
Nice, next time someone steals my keys they get the car AND the cash !
FAIL!
Randy 5:38PM (12/04/2008)
FAIL is RIGHT
Not because it's a stupid idea, but because it's a highly successful idea and it's been in place and in use for over 10 years. It's called "Mobil SpeedPass" and Exxon now uses them too because it's "ExxonMobil" now!
Gozo 3:40PM (12/05/2008)
Maybe its for smarter people that wont lose it like germans, in Korea you dont even need to take out your credit card you just press your wallet against the sensor and it charges it, and i bet they dont give out passwords to strangers over the phone either.
Seminole 1:51PM (12/04/2008)
Don't want.
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Sam 1:53PM (12/04/2008)
Cell Phone Key--that's what we need. They're already using it for payment so it would be one less thing to carry.
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Tang 1:59PM (12/04/2008)
Yeah, own a BMW and then take public transportation. Kinda makes sense. Not.
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Fatima 2:10PM (12/04/2008)
Actually it makes perfect sense. I commute to work on public transit. Only on weekends and holidays do I use my BMW.
This isnt anything new, speedpass has been around for ages.
catter12 2:00PM (12/04/2008)
I guess someone forgot to tell BMW that those neat little "smart chips" are RFID chips, and are disturbingly easy to hack, and copy data from.
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k.w.a 2:02PM (12/04/2008)
well.. on the bright side at least if you leave this at a store, you won't drive all the way home before realizing you lost it.
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Randy 10:07PM (12/04/2008)
Well... Not beyond a few dozen yards anyway... ;)
Alex 2:03PM (12/04/2008)
just give me the brain chip implant and lets get it all over with.
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Flea 2:06PM (12/04/2008)
Showing the poorly-paid cash register lady the keys to your BMW to pay for your shopping. How classy.
I think BMW has been steadily pushing the envelope on what one can do to be as much of a c*ck as possible.
Not to mention all the "uuh...you want to pay...with your car keys?" looks you'd get for the first five years this system would be in use.
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Mazda FTW! 2:06PM (12/04/2008)
Finally! A way for BMW owners to show everyone at the store what they drive.
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Epyx 2:24PM (12/04/2008)
Exactly the point! Not to mention all the d-bags at the bar using this to buy a round for the bar trash that are impressed by BMW keys. Makes it a lot more convenient for said d-bag to announce the "false image" of wealth.
Nothing says fake wealth more than ornaments. Leased BMW, double mortgaged McMansion, coach bag bought on credit along with DG sunglasses. Dig deeper and you see, no investments...no savings...and living month to month.
sean 3:28PM (12/04/2008)
and there will be nomenclature comes along with your key fob and your BMW.
now BMW will name your car : SDrive35iCCK(credit card key)VisaKLess(keyless entry)
you could also option to have 4XDrive35iCCKMasterKless
or
2WSDrive35iCCKAmeExpKless
great...
k.w.a 3:53PM (12/04/2008)
-Epyx
It might also prevent poseurs from buying them too. Now that BMW has a direct hold on their bank account, the D-bags will be forced to pay the car note on time!
If they dont pay the bill, the car won't start, and BMW will know exactly where to repo it!
G. Gordon 2:06PM (12/04/2008)
Why don't they spent time fixing their designs - Then I might buy another BMW, but Audi is looking better and better every day.
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Davin Black 3:02PM (12/04/2008)
Truer words have never been spoken, sir.
The pinnacle of unnecessary key tech was achieved when Aston Martin had that watchmaker make a special timepiece to open the DBS: it was gimmicky, but at least it was cool. This is just asking for all sorts of trouble surrounding (as stated before) identity theft and a sharp increase in posturing D-bags.
I'll take my Audi and AmEx - separate, not mixed.
Gekko 12:22PM (12/05/2008)
Hey Davin - Funny you mention the Aston Emotion Unit (Key), I have 2007 Vantage and was very tempted to upgrade to the 09 model for the latest and greatest, but was turned off my the 'gickery' of the key.
Cheers