Potential Apple Car Key Could Be as Simple as an iPhone App
Despite the fact that Apple has yet to confirm that it’s working on a super top-secret vehicle, it’s possible that the cat is now out of the bag. A recent patent filing suggests that the tech giant is looking to enter the automotive world one technological advancement at a time, and could potentially influence the creation of an Apple vehicle.
In a recent report from the BBC, it was revealed that Apple has applied for a new car-related patent. The patent, which is titled “Accessing Vehicles Using Portable Devices” touches on the possibility of Apple replacing an old-fashioned car key—fob and all—with an iPhone or iPad.
Is anyone else decidedly not surprised by this move?
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It’s like a Pictionary explanation of the patent
Photo: Apple Patent Images
According to the patent, the iPhone or iPad would be able to unlock, lock, or start a car via Bluetooth. Rather than having to push a button or turn a key, Apple users will simply have to use their electronic device to do so.
The patent describes the use of such a device as follows: “For example, a vehicle-related operation can be an operation to unlock a vehicle’s doors, unlock a vehicle’s storage compartment, start a vehicle’s engine, activate a vehicle’s audio or audiovisual entertainment system, activate a vehicle’s global positioning system (GPS), activate a vehicle’s dashboard console, turn on a vehicle’s passenger compartment lights, adjust a vehicle’s seats, turn on a vehicle’s headlights, open a vehicle’s sun roof, turn on a vehicle’s windshield wipers, activate a vehicle’s automatic parking system, activate a vehicle’s wireless communication system, and/or the like.”
So, basically, this patent would place the world at the user’s finger tips. Not really, but it sure feels like it, doesn’t it?
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And, as if the above description wasn’t enough, the technology would also give an owner the ability to grant temporary access to a secondary mobile device. While this might seem like a great idea, it’s this aspect of the technology that is raising a big question: Is this new patent secure?
With the number of car-hacking instances rising—like this famed one involving a Jeep Cherokee—the question of vehicle security is becoming more and more important in the automotive industry. While connecting a portable device with a vehicle’s onboard computer system isn’t unheard of (basically every new car comes with the technology now, anyways), Apple’s idea could introduce an entirely new form of car-hacking to the industry.
We still don’t know if this mysterious patent will end up on an Apple “iCar” for now—but hopefully, we’ll find out soon enough. Maybe it’ll look something like this?
Hey there, Richard Scarry
Photo: Chris Devers
News Source: BBC; Apple Patent Images
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