The Car Connectivity Consortium, an organization focused on enabling seamless mobile device-to-vehicle connectivity, announced the publication of the Digital Key Release 1.0 specification. Available to all CCC member companies, this first standardized solution enables drivers to download the digital key onto their smart devices and use it for any vehicle. The Digital Key specification was developed in order to create a robust ecosystem around interoperable digital key use cases, including allowing drivers to lock, unlock, start the engine, and share access to their car - all from their smart devices.The Release 1.0 specification provides a generalized deployment method that allows vehicle OEMs to securely transfer a digital key implementation to a smart device, using an existing Trusted Service Manager infrastructure. By leveraging NFC distance bounding and a direct link to the secure element of the device, CCC is assuring the highest state-of-the-art security level for vehicle access. Given extensive interest from automotive and smartphone manufacturers as well as the supplier ecosystem, CCC has begun work on the Digital Key Release 2.0 specification. This specification is under development in collaboration between CCC's charter member companies including Apple (AAPL), Audi (AUDVF), BMW (BMWYY), General Motors (GM), HYUNDAI (HYMTF), LG Electronics, Panasonic (PCRFY), Samsung (SSNLF), and Volkswagen (VLKAY), and core members including ALPS ELECTRIC, Continental Automotive GmbH, DENSO, Gemalto, NXP (NXPI), and Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM). Targeted for completion in Q1 2019, Release 2.0 will provide a standardized authentication protocol between the vehicle and smart device. By joining forces, Release 2.0 will deliver a fully scalable solution to reduce development costs for adopters and ensure interoperability between different smart devices and vehicles.
