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| Volvo plans to release a limited number of commercially available cars equipped with the new digital key technology next year. |
In a major leap towards the future of driving, Volvo has made the world's first keyless car, which can be unlocked and started with a smartphone app.
The app connects to the car through Bluetooth and can do everything a physical key does, and even better.
The digital key door unlocks as the driver approaches it and eliminates the common fumbling for the metal in the pocket.
Very excitingly, the digital key can be securely shared with others and it is this part of the breakthrough that is likely to have a revolutionary impact.
It may change the way the car rental industry works allowing customers to pick up and return cars on the fly. With GPS, rental companies can guide customers to a nearby car and transfer the key to them,
It may also change the way people own cars now. You could become part of a network of car owners, who can share cars with each other in radically new ways.
Volvo is likely to pilot this technology this year through Sunfleet, its car sharing firm in Sweden.
It also plans to release a limited number of commercially available cars equipped with the new digital key technology next year.