BMW recently announced that its customers would be able to use an iPhone as a digital car key.
The BMW Digital Key that was stored securely in Apple Wallet for iPhones works by tapping your smart Apple phone against the door handle to unlock the car, then placing the iPhone in the smartphone tray and pushing the start button to fire up the engine.
The owner can also share access to the car with up to five people, including a configurable car access option for young drivers that restricts top speed, power, maximum radio volume and more. Management of access can be done from inside the car and through Apple Wallet.
Now the company has introduced the more advanced BMW Digital Key Plus, which uses the Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology found on the U1 chip of an iPhone.
Users won’t need the vehicle key to be in the vicinity to lock, unlock or start their car, nor do they need to whip out their phone to scan the door handle. Having their Apple smartphone in their pockets or bags is enough.
It doesn’t altogether replace the car key, but supplements existing entry protocols and there’s a safety option should you misplace your key.
The BMW Digital Key Plus will be launched with the all-electric BMW iX, which is hoped will arrive in SA in 2022.
The company is yet to announce availability for this operating system for Android users.
It also said an enhanced navigation system in conjunction with Apple Maps on CarPlay will debut in the new BMW i4, launching this year.
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