Volvo Plans to Replace Car Keys With a Smartphone App
Volvo plans to rid some its cars of keys by 2017.
The Swedish brand will offer customers an application for their phone that replaces the key. Using Bluetooth, the digital key can communicate with the car and using the app the driver can unlock the doors, trunk and start the engine.
A pilot program testing the digital keys will launch in spring 2016 at Volvo’s car sharing firm Sunfleet, located in Gothenburg, Sweden. A “limited number” of Volvo’s production cars available to the public will be equipped with the digital key technology starting in 2017.
SEE ALSO: Volvo Sold a Record Number of Cars in 2015
Volvo says that this will allow you to have more than one digital key on you app, allowing you to access different Volvo vehicles in multiple locations. For example, if you rent a car, the digital ket could be uploaded to your phone remotely.
Car owners will be able to send their digital keys to other people using their phone, so that friends, family or co-workers can also access the vehicle.
For those not interested, Volvo says that physical keys will still be given upon request.
Discuss this story at our Volvo Forum
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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That's just stupid. So is the customer supposed to never have a dead phone, malfunctioning bluetooth, a working data connection, able to go without there phone while the mechanic is working on their car. This will not happen, sales would suffer. They might offer an app as an alternative but they would also issue some alternative to the app like a keypad, finger print reader, or a passive keyfob like Nissan uses.
What's with that homeless looking bum next to the Volvo?