BMW considers ditching car keys

Scooby_Doo said:
Although with an NFC option, you now need to wave your phone at your car every time and not as apposed to the current setup where having the key nearby is all that is required. Alternatively use multiple approaches, any of which will work in descending priority. Data first --> Bluetooth --> and finally NFC phone wave for a dead phone option.

This is all great until Bluetooth gets hacked. Wasn't Bluetooth just patched for a flaw?
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That’s exactly how it works on the Tesla.

Bluetooth first “in pocket” and NFC tag as a fail over more manual solution.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
Generally, this is still an idea, the people at BMW still has to execute and it’s the execution that will matter. Currently, it is much assumption. Security is key today, there is no way they will compromise on accessing the vehicle by limiting it to a smartphone.
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BMW probably won’t really do all that much themselves and just deliver a spec requirement to a third part to manufacture and incorporate.

Limiting it to a smartphone would make it more secure, not less.
 
eg2505 said:
exactly this,
more inconvenient the better.....
Click to expand...

How would it be inconvenient if it’s completely transparent?

I forgot I even have a key for my BMW until I need to unlock something manually.
 
SauRoNZA said:
BMW probably won’t really do all that much themselves and just deliver a spec requirement to a third part to manufacture and incorporate.

Limiting it to a smartphone would make it more secure, not less.
Click to expand...

A smartphone comes with its own limitations. Security means much more than having your smartphone stolen.
 
Archer said:
Don't know how no data connection is even a concern... bluetooth would do the job just fine at short range. But I still think the overall idea is daft
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I would love to have my bike work with just my phone and no fob.

Would also love it if they did it properly like the RT and had the keyless system unlock everything and not just the tank and ignition.

Now it’s a somewhat pointless halfway house for most occasions.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
A smartphone comes with its own limitations. Security means much more than having your smartphone stolen.
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Sure.

But it could be an improvement on the current state of affairs, not automatically a compromise.

For that matter a plain old key is only as secure as being stolen or copied.

A smartphone at the very least could require additional measures for access making even stealing it irrelevant.

Not to mention choices with regards to how secure you want it. Do you want it to open automatically on proximity? Or do you want a finger print scan. Or a finger print scan and PIN.

Or a phone + on car face recognition etc.

It opens a lot more doors (lol) to security.
 
SauRoNZA said:
How would it be inconvenient if it’s completely transparent?

I forgot I even have a key for my BMW until I need to unlock something manually.
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when your phone gets lost?

or you have a cheap phone without all these fancy gimmicks,

or you just got mugged and your phone isnt with you,
lots of scenarios,

its inconvenient, as how are you supposed to drive home now?
call the stealershipship to come rescue you? with what? smoke signals, pigeons?

I mean even these fancy touch to pull systems have a manual backup hidden somewhere.....
these is a good reason keys have stood the test of time....

as there really isnt a decent backup system around....
 
eg2505 said:
when your phone gets lost?

or you have a cheap phone without all these fancy gimmicks,

or you just got mugged and your phone isnt with you,
lots of scenarios,

its inconvenient, as how are you supposed to drive home now?
call the stealershipship to come rescue you? with what? smoke signals, pigeons?

I mean even these fancy touch to pull systems have a manual backup hidden somewhere.....
these is a good reason keys have stood the test of time....

as there really isnt a decent backup system around....
Click to expand...

I’ve never lost a phone.

And you won’t drive a BMW like this with a cheap phone that can’t operate it.

If you got mugged your conventional key would have been stolen and probably your car too.

So none of your scenarios are any worse for it really.

But besides that as per the Tesla Model 3 they could use an TFC tag that goes in your wallet.

The biggest inconvenience would then be to pull that out.

Still pretty simple compared to the inconvenience of finding and keeping a key fob on you every day for the once in a blue moon you might need it.

Also it has the benefit of simple access to multiple keys for cars with multiple drivers. And also revoking them as required.

Honestly I only see benefits here.

You guys sound like those types who said we wouldn’t ever use email 20 years ago.
 
Last edited:
They would have to improve it so much from where it is at now. From opening the app to sending the instructions through the server it takes minimum 40 seconds.

Imagine standing outside and it's bucketing down waiting 40 seconds for your car to open. I only used the app once to beep the horn when I forgot where I parked.
 
SauRoNZA said:
I’ve never lost a phone.

And you won’t drive a BMW like this with a cheap phone that can’t operate it.

But besides that as per the Tesla Model 3 they could use an TFC tag that goes in your wallet.

The biggest inconvenience would then be to pull that out.

Still pretty simple compared to the inconvenience of finding and keeping a key fob on you every day for the once in a blue moon you might need it.
Click to expand...

ok, fair enough,

what if its a rental? how exactly will you start it?
also those NFC tags are STILL equipped with a manual backup in case the battery runs out.....

so a lot of thought still needs to go into this, how will it be handled without a set of keys....
I mean yes its not common they you need your keys, but the time you do, what then?
 
eg2505 said:
when your phone gets lost?

or you have a cheap phone without all these fancy gimmicks,

or you just got mugged and your phone isnt with you,
lots of scenarios,

its inconvenient, as how are you supposed to drive home now?
call the stealershipship to come rescue you? with what? smoke signals, pigeons?

I mean even these fancy touch to pull systems have a manual backup hidden somewhere.....
these is a good reason keys have stood the test of time....

as there really isnt a decent backup system around....
Click to expand...

I counter that a new BMW driver will have a good phone in all cases. Your keys can also get stolen, your keys can also be lost.

Yes there is less chance that a thief will steal your phone, but more chance you will lose keys.

It balances out, but there must be a better way than having to rely on something you carry around regardless of what that something is.
 
eg2505 said:
what if its a rental? how exactly will you start it?
also those NFC tags are STILL equipped with a manual backup in case the battery runs out.....
Click to expand...

Erm...my credit card certainly doesn't have a battery.


Anyway right this very moment my primary keys for my car are missing somewhere inside my house and my wife is running around with the spare.

Wouldn't have been an event if this tech was already in place and using my phone instead.
 
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