It Looks Like Smart Phones Are Going To Kill Off The Key Fob

With BMW apparently looking into replacing its key fobs with smart phone apps in the future, is the way we access cars about to radically change?
It Looks Like Smart Phones Are Going To Kill Off The Key Fob

At the same time as making key fobs bigger and more complicated than ever, BMW is thinking of ditching them altogether. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW board member Ian Robertson told Reuters that the Bavarian firm is mulling over the future of the key fob, given how many of its customers own a smart phone that can be loaded with the BMW App.

The app can be used to unlock many of the company’s more recent models, so as Robertson puts it, “how many people really need it [a key fob]?” It’s something already happening elsewhere in the industry, with a mobile phone app being the only way of unlocking and starting up the new Tesla Model 3. Then there’s Jaguar Land Rover, which is currently looking at facial recognition technology as the future of car access.

As far as BMW goes, it seems to be a question of when, rather than if fobs are consigned to the history books. “We are looking at whether it is feasible, and whether we can do it. Whether we do it right now or at some point in the future, remains to be seen,” Robertson concludes.

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Comments

Anonymous

Most smartphones break quite easily, so if they have the bmw app and break, lets say the person who owns it wont go home that day

09/15/2017 - 16:47 |
6 | 1
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

That would be a me thing to do

09/15/2017 - 17:50 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Exactly

09/16/2017 - 10:07 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Technology should be there to actually help us. How is not having a key going to be helpful? What it your phone runs out of charge>

09/15/2017 - 16:48 |
11 | 0
Mac Jameson

What happens if you run out of 4g

09/15/2017 - 16:56 |
3 | 0
FLixy Madfox

Wait what if your phone dies

09/15/2017 - 17:05 |
18 | 0
DL🏁

“Your software has expired. Please download the latest version to unlock your car. New: in-app purchase for only £2.99: allows you to unlock your boot separately”

09/15/2017 - 17:07 |
13 | 0
H4R1S_01

Imagine losing your phone

09/15/2017 - 17:13 |
8 | 0

In the locked car.

09/15/2017 - 17:57 |
3 | 0
H4R1S_01

Imagine losing your phone

09/15/2017 - 17:32 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

Steal the phone, steal the car 🔝

09/15/2017 - 17:53 |
2 | 0
Unamd Prcent

Hey Siri, download my BMW key.

09/15/2017 - 17:56 |
0 | 0
Klush

God help us all.

09/15/2017 - 17:58 |
2 | 0