It seems that pretty much all humans go through the same checklist before leaving the house: Keys, phone, wallet. But if BMW has its way, that list will be reduced by one. BMW is currently working with NXP to develop an automotive key that can double as a credit card.
Although the system is strictly a prototype as of now, BMW hopes the system can make the transition to reality in the not-so-distant future. Like a typical credit card, the key fob would be able to pay for anything from parking to groceries.
BMW is banking that the convenience of two technologies within a single unit will drum up public support for its system. After all, many electronic devices are pulling double duties these days, with Apple’s iPhone leading the charge.
“With the concept of integrating contactless payment functionality in a car key, we are working on the combination of automotive technology and lifestyle,” said Prof. Raymond Freymann, managing director of BMW Group Research and Technology. “In cooperation with NXP we are doing research in enhancing the capabilities of the car key into one smart device for access, payment, and services that will simplify the lives of BMW car drivers in future.”
No word on when BMW hopes to get the new system to market, but we’re sure it will face at least a few hurdles. While the combination of a key fob and credit card does add some convenience, it also has some inherent problems. Who hasn’t lost either their car keys or wallet, even if just for an hour or two?
10/21, 4:45 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
I thank I just keep it old school….
I’ll just give it some time and let it play out…
When Benz came out with the smart key ,a lot of unhappy people got very upset. at first the smart key will not work as good if you where on your cell phone, or if your cell had a particular service. But ya it has potential…
10/21, 4:55 PM
posted by:
Pauly
Like people need more credit cards.
10/21, 5:09 PM
posted by:
A4
yeah lln who the hell needs to carry their drivers license anyway?
10/21, 5:13 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Hey Mr. Thief, please take my car and my card credit to use at your convenience. How many dip-s-h-i-t teenagers are going to come up with the line, “Well, mom, dad, I don’t know where that charge came from the time I borrowed the car.”
10/21, 5:18 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Why not just do what they do in Japan and use your phone as a credit card but give it a car key option.
10/21, 5:21 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
I can think of a lot of reasons to buy a BMW, but this isn’t one of them.
10/21, 5:24 PM
posted by:
GTRDONE
seems like a decent idea. ill have to wait for some progress before i go buying any stake in NXP. not only will theives be able to drive nice cars from the keys they steal but they will be able to potentially spend the owners money too. it seems like a dream come true for criminals… i see more cons than pros with this idea. something to keep an eye on. if it does someday somhow catch on everyone is going to be developing keyfob technology with NXP
10/21, 5:24 PM
posted by:
DaSpyda
How about developing a watch that does this? It already has a power supply…
10/21, 5:25 PM
posted by:
GTRDONE
i agree with lariat 100%
10/21, 5:30 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
Somehow it doesn’t surprise me that BMW is coming out with this first, it is definitely the type of tech their consumers would scramble for as to not soil their reputation of being “high class.” Unfortunately high class in this case comes with high stupidity as using your key for a credit card and other things of that nature is not only very risky but pointless altogether. Ok so lets get past the obvious flaw in this which is the fact that if it gets stolen then you are open to all sorts of theft. With today’s world the way it is I wouldn’t be surprised if someone could use the signal that they key puts out to electronically grab its credit card information and whatever else BMW wants to put on there. So past even all that we ask the question “does this key give me the ability to not carry a bulky wallet?” Well the answer is NO; when a police officer pulls you over for speeding in your sleek BMW and asks you for your license and registration you cannot just hand him your smart key lol. Nor can you carry paper money in your smart key or store your AAA card, health insurance card, or whatever else on earth you may carry in your wallet. The point is that by putting your credit card onto your smart key you are only multiplying your chances of theft and for what? So you can take a couple of ounces of plastic out of the wallet that you still need to carry?
10/21, 5:45 PM
posted by:
NismoSentraKen
=========>>F3INT))AP3X, i couldn’t have said it better. U seriously hit tha spot.
10/21, 6:35 PM
posted by:
Don
This would making losing your keys much more stressful. Bad idea.
10/21, 6:41 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3/GTRDONE/F3INT))AP3X/NismoSentraKen: right on! What a terrible, TERRIBLE idea this is.
10/21, 6:43 PM
posted by:
A4
well if someone steals your car i dont think theyre going to have your key…
10/21, 6:46 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Ah, yes…BMW- the ultimate debit machine.
10/21, 7:36 PM
posted by:
writeeddie
Bring it on.. BMW. Wouldn’t it be easier to just work with APPLE & RIM to built in all those features (PHONE/ KEY/ CREDIT CARD / COMPUTER) all into your SMARTPHONE?
Note to parents, don’t let your teenager kids borrow the car.
10/21, 8:04 PM
posted by:
carguy70
(((STRANGE!!)))
10/21, 8:49 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Since BMW drivers are all compensating for something and we all know what that is, they should combine the key and credit card into a breast or penis implant, so that you never lose anything and can really have fun whipping out your card. Of course, in San Franciso the vehicle will get confused when all the transgenders hop into the car with both penis and breast implants.
10/21, 9:20 PM
posted by:
autonut
We are heading into recession, therefore carjacking season is about to begin in Newark. That would be a rich steal, if you ask me. Nazi sled and all the credit brother can get.
10/22, 3:27 AM
posted by:
cereal
What. The. Hell.
-eat your cereal
10/22, 3:44 AM
posted by:
DjRags
I have a feeling that car companies use sites like this to work out the kinks in their systems without paying a lot of money to R&D. F3INT))AP3X post alone probably saved BMW about a 1000 man hours
10/22, 5:55 AM
posted by:
BMW M1
@cancuck and mayer ray: lmao, hahaha
this is one of the worst ideas they couldve had, instead i think it would make more sense to integrate the key/card into a phone, since all phones work on the same wavelengths it will be much cheaper to set up an infrastructure for that
10/22, 11:37 AM
posted by:
DaSpyda
How about a thumbprint sensor next to the handle?
10/22, 11:53 AM
posted by:
ricky_b
cool idead but scary concept. i’ll skip that option
10/22, 3:56 PM
posted by:
TomF
This is already being done with smart phones. There’s no need for an overgrown keyfob to serve the same function. Better they integrate the auto-key function into the phone as well.
10/22, 4:44 PM
posted by:
DaSpyda
Looks like the Japanese have trumped the Germans: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26868873/