TURNING SMART PHONES INTO SMART KEYS FOR CONNECTED CARS

Transcription

1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Gregor Zehetner TURNING SMART PHONES INTO SMART KEYS FOR CONNECTED CARS New Solution Enables Innovative Fleet Management, Car Sharing, Rental and Parcel Delivery Services VIENNA, Jan. 1, 2015 Some of the industry s leading players in automotive electronics, mechanical locks and mobile locking solutions have developed a new NFC-based system that will revolutionize access to automobiles in fleet management, social-sharing and parcel delivery. The companies including WITTE Automotive and Tapkey have created a new solution to the age-old problem of enhanced vehicle access: Using a smartphone as a key, their new solution can securely grant access, easily and inexpensively, to drivers, fleets managers, and even delivery services that can gain driver-granted access to a parked car s trunk. The entire solution will debut at Booth CP9 at the International CES 2015 conference in Las Vegas, January 6 9. Harnessing the power of near-field communication or NFC, it can transform any NFC phone or tablet into a key that can open a lock simply by tapping it. For fleet management, social car sharing, and parcel delivery for online retailers and package-delivery services alike, there is a tremendous market opportunity for this seamless, secure, and cost-effective solution. Unlike other offerings, ours doesn t require a permanent Internet connection, and is substantially less expensive to mass produce than current aftermarket add-on s such as black boxes with old-style keys inside, states Gilbert Hoedl, Tapkey Co-Founder and CEO. CES ReleaseFINAL.doc, Page 1

2 The solution builds on automotive-qualified NFC technology, processors and controllers all embedded within a vehicle s door handles and trunk lid. German-based WITTE Automotive, a global leader in automotive locks, latches, hinges and door handles, is responsible for integrating the electronic and mechanical components of the integrated solution. As the supplier of choice to the world s best-known vehicle brands, we are uniquely positioned to explore exciting new usage scenarios for today s connected drivers with the OEMs who strive to make their lives more convenient and secure, says Christian Kaczmarczyk, CEO of WITTE Automotive. A world where tapping your smartphone to a lock provides more convenient, secure and flexible access all at lower cost is an enticing scenario to these top automotive brands. WITTE Automotive built the fully functional door and trunk demonstrator that will be featured at CES. Austrian tech startup Tapkey provides the patented secure access software platform that transforms smart NFC devices into virtual key rings of keys that can be sent instantly to any phone or tablet, without the need for a dedicated phone number or SIM card. Upon receipt of a key on his or her phone, the driver simply logs in with a highly secure digital ID that they are already familiar with, such as Google or their rental car reward ID, to activate it, notes Hoedl. Using the same technology already employed by banks and credit cards, the keys are incredibly secure. The Tapkey-enabled lock brings unprecedented flexibility to fleets, social car-sharing, and direct-to-trunk delivery. CES ReleaseFINAL.doc, Page 2

3 The car door of the future. It looks like an ordinary door handle, but this demo built by WITTE Automotive, featuring NFC technology and smartphone connectivity from Tapkey can be unlocked by tapping a phone against it. It promises to revolutionize access and social sharing. CES ReleaseFINAL.doc, Page 3

4 The trunk you unlock with a phone. This car-trunk demonstrator built by WITTE Automotive, with smartphone connectivity from Tapkey will allow for direct-to-parked-car parcel delivery by online retailers and package delivery services. The car owner simply approves a request via text message to allow temporary access to a parked car s trunk, speeding delivery while on the road or at the office. The solution is based on the experience and products from NXP Semiconductors, co-inventor and market leader for NFC solutions, and will debut at CES 2015 in Las Vegas. CES ReleaseFINAL.doc, Page 4

5 The Tapkey software in action. Designed to work easily and seamlessly with virtually any smartphone, Tapkey provides the digital bridge between mobility and access, using an intuitive interface that makes it simple and fun to unlock Tapkey-enabled cars, homes and offices. High-resolution images can be downloaded at: About WITTE Automotive WITTE Products can be found today in all known car brands. With innovative solutions and technological know-how, WITTE has thrilled its automotive customers around the world for many decades. For these customers, WITTE develops and produces closing and operating systems, as well as hinges and actuators for valves, doors and seat locks and camera modules by WITTE. There are specialized centers of excellence for plastic, stamping and die casting technology to ensure functional, quality, environmental and price excellence. CES ReleaseFINAL.doc, Page 5

6 In addition to the four locations in Germany, WITTE Automotive is represented across Europe in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and France. WITTE Automotive s global presence can be found in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, China, Japan and Korea as part of VAST, the Vehicle Access Systems Technology alliance. For more information, visit About Tapkey Tapkey GmbH is dedicated to the creation and proliferation of secure mobile access in a digitally connected world. The company s signature Tapkey solution uses patented technology to transform smart phones into smart keys, making it easy for end users and channel partners alike to take advantage of this liberating technology. For more information, visit # # # CES ReleaseFINAL.doc, Page 6