Munich – The BMW Group has become the first automotive manufacturer to receive the prestigious Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) Digital Key certificate, reaffirming its pioneering role in digital vehicle access. This certification, based on the CCC’s stringent requirements for secure and interoperable vehicle-to-device access, validates that the BMW Digital Key meets the highest standards of safety and reliability.
The Car Connectivity Consortium is a global standardization organization dedicated to enhancing the connectivity of vehicles with smart mobile devices. BMW Group, a member since 2017, has been at the forefront of developing cross-industry technologies and safety standards, working closely with leading smartphone manufacturers, tier-one automotive suppliers, semiconductor producers, and security product providers.
“Certifying digital key solutions at every point of the vehicle-to-device ecosystem is imperative as we work to increase adoption and build trust among consumers and the industry at large,” said Alysia Johnson, President of the Car Connectivity Consortium. “We’re proud to designate BMW as the first automotive manufacturer to be CCC Digital Key certified.”
Kai Barbehön, Head of Central Control Unit Development, Physical Vehicle Network, and Power Supply at BMW Group, expressed the company’s commitment to customer experience and innovation. “Our digital key being the first to receive CCC Digital Key certification underlines our leadership in this area. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with CCC, integrating the Digital Key as a core feature of our current and future vehicle platforms.”
BMW Group has been a trailblazer in digital vehicle access since 2018. The introduction of the BMW Digital Key enabled customers to unlock, lock, and start their vehicles using their smartphones via Near Field Communication (NFC). The 2021 launch of the BMW iX marked another milestone with the debut of the BMW Digital Key Plus, the first application of ultra-wideband technology (UWB) for digital vehicle access. This technology enhances security and convenience, allowing users to access their vehicles without taking out their smartphones.
The BMW Digital Key Plus has since been integrated into the BMW compact class and the new MINI family. Moreover, BMW’s digital key can be shared with friends and family through conventional messenger services, thanks to the specification for UWB-based digital vehicle access developed in collaboration with CCC partners.
As BMW Group continues to drive innovation in digital vehicle access, it aims to enhance the overall customer experience, setting new benchmarks in the automotive industry.
