Date: 26/10/2008

Multifunctional car key developed by BMW and NXP

BMW Group Research and Technology and NXP Semiconductor have developed a prototype of multifunctional car key. The multi-functions packed in this key are, contact-less payment, personalized access control, and public transport e ticketing. NXP's SmartMX security chip is the smart silicon embedded in this key.

In today's world the personal vehicle key is a must-carry item, when the key can take some more load likes of smart card, why not!
This prototype allows the drivers to perform quick, secure and convenient electronic payments.

There is a market potential in this product. The car owners no more need to carry bunch of other electronic personal id or e-cash cards to pay for general shopping, petrol, public transport, parking and road tolls.

As the car key turns into credit card, bunch of more creative mobile applications can be taken care by car-key itself. With the secured access to personal data, authorizing personalized in-vehicle online services in any vehicle will be easier. The personal credit card key may also be temporarily registered with other cars. Car can be rented or shared by automatically activating the vehicles through these keys. When public transport tickets are loaded to the personal key, this device becomes a companion for seamless mobility.


NXP's SmartMX P5CD081 series used in this key is designed for use in personal id devices of different form factors. SmartMX is EMV compliant and Common Criteria EAL 5+ certified by the German Federal Office of Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik) for high level of security.