The prototype of a chip-enabled car key that will provide motorists with a variety of functions has been unveiled by BMW and Philips.

     BMW Group Research and Technology and NXP Semiconductors, an independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, have unveiled a prototype of a multifunctional car key. The prototype features contactless payment, personalised access control, and advanced functions including public transport e-ticketing. Powered by NXP''s SmartMX security chip, the prototype allows drivers to perform quick, secure and convenient electronic payments with a car key. 116.30.192.184 This article is copyright 2008 UsingRFID.com.

Credit Card
     By turning the car key into a personalised credit card, many additional possibilities arise. Future consumers will be able to securely gain access to personal data and be authorised for personalised in-vehicle online services in any BMW vehicle that they own or drive. The personal credit card key may also be temporarily registered with other cars. Renting or sharing cars will become very convenient, even more so as personalised authorisations and service settings can be automatically activated in these vehicles. In addition, public transport tickets can be loaded onto the key, increasing its versatility.

Smaller antennae
     Featuring smaller antennae than standard smart cards, NXP''s SmartMX P5CD081 series is ideally suited to integration into a broad range of different form factors. The integrated dual-interface chip, which will be EMV compliant and Common Criteria EAL 5+ certified by the German Federal Office of Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik), ensures that the credit card application complies with the highest security requirements.

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