Magazines Archives - 2008 December

NXP unveils car key that doubles up as credit card
Story 10 - Retail Technology

EUROPE-BASED NXP Semiconductors has replaced the need for cash or additional credit cards with what is understood to be the world’s first multifunctional car-key prototype, which brings quick, secure and convenient contactless payment.

Using NXP’s SmartMX security chip, the company, in partnership with German automotive manufacturer
BMW Group’s research and technology division, created a car key that allows the driver to shop as well as pay for petrol, public transport, parking and road tolls.

Said Marc de Jong, executive vicepresident, business unit automotive and identification, NXP Semiconductors: “The transformation of a car key into a credit card goes beyond the limitation
of traditional payment possibilities and is a natural evolution to improve car owners’ payment experiences.”

The credit-card application of NXP’s SmartMX P5CD081 series is not only EMV-compliant to meet stringent security standards, but is also certified by the German Federal Office of Information Security.

As the group moves to “enhance the lifestyles of consumers”, de Jong added, the partnership with BMW would allow NXP to underscore its “global leadership in remote key-less vehicle entry and go [towards] contactless identification by delivering a compelling ... application that will continue to drive innovations in smart-card banking and the automotive industry”.

Prof Raymond Freymann, managing director of BMW AG’s subsidiary, BMW Group Research and Technology, said: “With the concept of integrating contactless payment functionality into a car key, we are working on the combination of automotive technology and lifestyle which will help us stay in touch with our [drivers’ needs] directly and deliver a complete range of mobility-enhancing services.”

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