Traditional key fobs are becoming a thing of the past as technology advances. While digital car keys have been around, many require you to open an app or tap your phone on the door handle. Valeo is changing this with their innovative Phone As A Key technology.
Valeo’s Phone As A Key system eliminates the need for an application. You simply keep your smartphone in your pocket or bag. Using secure communication, the car automatically unlocks as you approach. Once inside, starting the engine is as easy as pressing the start button. This seamless access is transforming the concept of the Key Fob Phone.
This system is similar to Valeo’s Passive Entry Passive Start (PEPS), which also uses secure wireless communication. However, PEPS relies on a physical key fob to send signals. Phone As A Key integrates the “key fob” directly into your smartphone, offering enhanced convenience and digital flexibility. This digital key can be easily shared with family, friends, or used for managing fleets and car-sharing services. Temporary access can also be granted to service providers, such as allowing trunk access for deliveries, all through your key fob phone.
How Phone As A Key Technology Functions
Valeo’s Phone As A Key (PAAK) utilizes Bluetooth technology for access control, differentiating it from Passive Keyless Entry (PKE) systems that often require a dedicated app. PAAK is built upon a foundation of Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Bluetooth Low Energy, and Near Field Communication (NFC). This technology suite ensures compliance with Car Connectivity Consortium specifications, guaranteeing standardized compatibility and robust security between your smartphone and vehicle. Even if your smartphone battery is depleted, the NFC capability allows you to unlock the car door and start the engine securely, ensuring you’re never locked out.
Industry experts predict that by 2030, 50% of car owners will be using phone as a key technology. This shift highlights the growing adoption and reliance on smartphones as the primary car key, effectively making the smartphone the new key fob phone. Valeo’s innovation is at the forefront of this transformation, offering a secure, convenient, and future-proof solution for vehicle access.
