Use Your Smart Phone as a Key for Your Car?

Being able to lock and unlock the doors using your cell phone is part of the range of technologies that Hyundai is working on for there cars, which they say may be available on its production models by 2015.

The Connectivity Concept, which was shown off on the Hyundai i30 previewed near the manufacturer’s European headquarters in Frankfurt, allows the uses to unlock and lock the doors by simply placing their cell phone over top an NFC-tag (Near Field Communication), located on the outside of the door.

The driver’s cell phone must be placed inside the center console in order to hook the phone to the car’s infotainment system, which allows it to automatically stream music, phone contacts, radio station preferences, and individual profile setting to the car’s touchscreen. On top of that, it charges the phone wirelessly.

“With this technology, Hyundai is able to harness the all-in-one functionality of existing smartphone technology and integrating it into everyday driving in a seamless fashion. As the technology continually develops there will be capabilities to store driver’s seating position and exterior mirror setting, providing customers with a comfortable and individual environment,” said Allan Rushforth, senior VP and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe.