![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ljdevice.com.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Cadillac-Key-for-2015-Cadillac-ATS-V-003-720x340-300x142.jpg\")
<\/p>\nby Francisco Cruz\u00a0\u00a0 Aug 21, 2018<\/p>\n
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A new\u00a0patent application filed by Apple for \u201cenhanced automotive passive entry\u201d\u00a0explores the idea behind using an iPhone\u00a0to replace\u00a0a vehicle\u2019s\u00a0key fob.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0ability to lock, unlock, and even start your vehicle with using smartphone isn\u2019t a new. Owners of\u00a0the 2011 and newer GM vehicles\u00a0can already do this\u00a0using one of the myBrand<\/em>\u00a0apps on their smartphone,\u00a0such as\u00a0myChevrolet<\/a>, myCadillac<\/a>, myBuick<\/a>, and myGMC<\/a>\u00a0(previously called\u00a0OnStar RemoteLink<\/a>).\u00a0GM\u2019s apps, however, work in a very different way from what Apple is proposing.<\/p>\n GM\u2019s myBrand\u00a0mobile apps allow users to remotely lock\/unlock the doors to their vehicle, start the engine and sound the horn and lights; myChevrolet app pictured<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Since key fobs already function\u00a0based on the concept of\u00a0proximity rather than direct contact, Apple suggests this same method can be applied to an iPhone or even an Apple Watch. The\u00a0rationale behind Apple\u2019s patent is that key fobs can be \u201cbulky and be an additional item that a user must carry.<\/p>\n The patent suggests that the technology used to determine the range and position of key fobs can be improved upon, as the \u201cmagnetic signals emitted from magnetic antennas\u201d are of a short range. In addition, current\u00a0proximity\u00a0technology is susceptible to hacking, and a key fob running on an iPhone or Apple Watch would surely be more secure. We should note that yet another approach to\u00a0the security\u00a0concern is the use of blockchain technology, which Porsche has already successfully tested in its own vehicles\u2026 but that\u2019s a discussion for another time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In technical terms, Apple has proposed the use of both magnetic antennas and radio frequency (RF) antennas as means to determine the range, signal strength, and other data pertinent to the functionality of such technology. In turn, these processes would enable the system to detect at a far greater range than the systems currently in place.<\/p>\n In addition to the security benefits\u00a0as well as having one less item to carry,\u00a0the\u00a0proposed system could also be used to increase safety measures. Since the technology would be able to determine where the phone\u00a0is located inside the vehicle, it could potentially prevent the engine from starting if the phone is not located in a designated area.<\/p>\n It could also prevent\u00a0users from locking their phones inside of the vehicle. Notably, GM\u2019s\u00a0keyless entry and keyless start feature\u00a0also prevent one from locking their\u00a0key fob inside the vehicle.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a key difference between GM\u2019s current implementation of the functionality\u00a0included in the myBrand apps and what Apple is proposing in its patent. GM\u2019s solution never\u00a0talks to the vehicle directly, instead using GM\u2019s OnStar subsidiary as an intermediary of sorts. In this use case,\u00a0the phone technically never contacts the vehicle directly, but instead\u00a0sends a command\u00a0(such as to unlock a door) securely via the internet to OnStar, which then processes the\u00a0command and sends it back out securely\u00a0via the\u00a0internet\u00a0to the vehicle. The process is repeated in reverse to give the user a message of success or\u00a0failure on their smartphone.\u00a0In that regard, the smartphone and app serves as a useful companion to the vehicle\u2019s actual key\/key fob.<\/p>\n\n![\"2016](\"http:\/\/gmauthority.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/2016-myChevrolet-Mobile-App-01-1024x381.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow It\u00a0Would\u00a0Work<\/h3>\n
![\"Apple](\"http:\/\/gmauthority.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Apple-iPhone-as-car-key-patent-illustration.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAdditional Benefits<\/h3>\n
A Key\u00a0Difference<\/h3>\n
![\"2016](\"http:\/\/gmauthority.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/2016-myGMC-Mobile-App-01.jpg\")
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