Progress in Digitalization: New Orders for Smartphone-based Car Keys from Continental
- Three vehicle manufacturers order CoSmA digital access system from Continental
- Integration into architecture of new vehicle generations in 2021
- Continental CoSmA with ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology offers convenient hands-free system with best-in-class anti-theft protection
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 23, 2020. As part of a successful development phase with customers and partners, technology company Continental has won new production orders for its CoSmA smartphone-based vehicle access system. Three more major vehicle manufacturers are integrating the smartphone solution worldwide into the architecture of their upcoming vehicle generations. Production start is planned for 2021.
The CoSmA technology replaces conventional key fobs, and is particularly user-friendly because drivers can access, unlock and start their car using their own smartphone without having to pick up the device. The core of the system is a secure digital key that contains the access authorization to the desired vehicle. In one app, the vehicle owners can generate and manage multiple digital keys at the same time, and share them easily and securely with family and friends. Package delivery services can even deliver online orders directly to the vehicle. As soon as authentication is provided by the backend key management system in the Continental.cloud, access to the vehicle is granted.
“With CoSmA, the smartphone becomes a digital vehicle key. We are delighted that more vehicle manufacturers are integrating the solution into their next vehicles, making keyless operation of vehicles increasingly convenient through the use of personal smartphones,” said Michael Crane, Vice President of Connected Car Networking, Continental North America. “Together, we’re taking the next step towards a fully digital user experience.”
The CoSmA smartphone-based vehicle access system from Continental wins three production orders from major vehicle manufacturers.
CoSmA Enhanced with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology
Vehicle access via smartphone from Continental uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) in the basic version. In the latest generation of the digital key, Continental also relies on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, which offers greater convenience and new functions. The UWB and UWB Bluetooth Low Energy (UWB-BLE) transceiver modules enable the authorized smartphone to be located with high accuracy – within just a few centimeters – from both inside and outside the vehicle. The onboard architecture of the CoSmA solution also features a central electronic computer unit with a state-of-the-art secure element as a certified secure storage for any digital vehicle key application. As soon as the position of the authorized smartphone is precisely determined, the system allows the vehicle to be unlocked and the engine to be started without having to interact with the smartphone.
Precise localization also enables new user-centric functions such as remote-controlled parking via smartphone. In addition to this increased level of convenience, the smartphone-based UWB solution provides protection against unauthorized access via relay attacks (man-in-the-middle), in which a vehicle thief intercepts and extends the key signal in order to gain access.
Together with other well-known companies, Continental is dedicated to the basic development of the UWB radio standard for vehicle access in the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC). The CCC is working on a global standard for hands-free access to the vehicle and other applications for vehicle localization based on UWB technology. The aim of these efforts is to enable use for all smartphone operating systems and models.
Mary Arraf
Head of Communications Automotive and Continental North America