Future Tesla models could integrate Apple CarKey with UWB tech

A Federal Communications Commission document unearthed this week reveals electric carmaker Tesla is working to build Ultra Wideband technology into future vehicles, potentially signaling upcoming adoption of Digital Key protocols like Apple's CarKey.

In September, Tesla filed documents detailing two key fobs, a security controller, and "endpoints" designed to reside in a car's frame or cabin, reports The Verge. At least three of the devices support UWB.

The key fob document notes compatibility with standards-based UWB, suggesting interoperability with implementations deployed in Apple devices like iPhone. If the endpoints are also UWB compliant, the system could theoretically support a smartphone-based Digital Key.

Apple, along with a consortium of tech and automotive companies, has been developing Digital Key Release 3.0, which taps Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and UWB technology to deliver passive, location-aware keyless access. Depending on their location, Tesla's endpoints could provide the ranging information necessary for triangulating a user's position relative to a vehicle. Ranging is part of Digital Key Release 3.0's security backbone which thwarts breaches like relay attacks that attempt to jam or intercept digital key signals.

So far, BMW is the only manufacturer to officially announce support for Digital Key Release 3.0 and, more specifically, Apple's next-generation UWB-enabled CarKey tech. Called Digital Key Plus, BMW's version allows users to unlock and start their car without taking iPhone out of a bag or pocket. That experience is an improvement over the existing BMW Digital Key that requires users to hold iPhone up to a door handle to gain entry and subsequently place the device in a provided Qi-enabled smartphone tray to start the vehicle.

Apple introduced UWB to its product line with the U1 chip in iPhone 11 and subsequently built the silicon into the iPhone 12 and Apple Watch Series 6 series in 2020.

5 Comments

MplsP 4021 comments · 8 Years

About 3 years ago

Tesla already uses your phone as a Bluetooth key, so I’m wondering what Apple car key will actually add from a user perspective? You could use it without the Tesla app, but the app gives a lot of additional functionality that you want anyway.

I’d rather Tesla add CarPlay than car key. That’s something people could actually use!

CloudTalkin 916 comments · 5 Years

MplsP said:

Tesla already uses your phone as a Bluetooth key, so I’m wondering what Apple car key will actually add from a user perspective? You could use it without the Tesla app, but the app gives a lot of additional functionality that you want anyway.
I’d rather Tesla add CarPlay than car key. That’s something people could actually use!

It's important to note Tesla's rumored to be upgrading support for Digital Key protocols, not Apple's CarKey specifically. That Digital Key support upgrade would allow Apple's CarKey to work with Tesla cars. One of the user facing benefits of Digital Key mentioned in the article is the ability to unlock the vehicle without removing the phone from a pocket or purse. "... Digital Key Release 3.0, which taps Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and UWB technology to deliver passive, location-aware keyless access. Depending on their location, Tesla's endpoints could provide the ranging information necessary for triangulating a user's position relative to a vehicle. Ranging is part of Digital Key Release 3.0's security backbone which thwarts breaches like relay attacks that attempt to jam or intercept digital key signal." More details here: https://carconnectivity.org/

Hyundai has already been using Digital Key, but their version is only available on Android and based on the older 2.0 release, not the newer 3.0.
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2020-hyundai-sonata-digital-key-new-york-auto-show/

qwerty52 367 comments · 7 Years

MplsP said:

Tesla already uses your phone as a Bluetooth key, so I’m wondering what Apple car key will actually add from a user perspective? You could use it without the Tesla app, but the app gives a lot of additional functionality that you want anyway.
I’d rather Tesla add CarPlay than car key. That’s something people could actually use!

Recently a student in Belgium has cracked down a Tesla key. He opened the door and could drive away with the Tesla of his friend.
He did it this for the cameras of a Belgium tv station. He contacted Tesla all so, for which he received reward from the company.

mike1 3432 comments · 10 Years

MplsP said:

Tesla already uses your phone as a Bluetooth key, so I’m wondering what Apple car key will actually add from a user perspective? You could use it without the Tesla app, but the app gives a lot of additional functionality that you want anyway.
I’d rather Tesla add CarPlay than car key. That’s something people could actually use!

The app would always be there for additional functionality when needed, but for the vast majority of the time, I just need to get in the car and go.

qwerty52 said:

MplsP said:

Tesla already uses your phone as a Bluetooth key, so I’m wondering what Apple car key will actually add from a user perspective? You could use it without the Tesla app, but the app gives a lot of additional functionality that you want anyway.
I’d rather Tesla add CarPlay than car key. That’s something people could actually use!

Recently a student in Belgium has cracked down a Tesla key. He opened the door and could drive away with the Tesla of his friend.
He did it this for the cameras of a Belgium tv station. He contacted Tesla all so, for which he received reward from the company.

I saw that - from what I can tell, he actually used the Model X key fob, not bluetooth or a digital key..

CloudTalkin said:

MplsP said:

Tesla already uses your phone as a Bluetooth key, so I’m wondering what Apple car key will actually add from a user perspective? You could use it without the Tesla app, but the app gives a lot of additional functionality that you want anyway.
I’d rather Tesla add CarPlay than car key. That’s something people could actually use!

It's important to note Tesla's rumored to be upgrading support for Digital Key protocols, not Apple's CarKey specifically. That Digital Key support upgrade would allow Apple's CarKey to work with Tesla cars. One of the user facing benefits of Digital Key mentioned in the article is the ability to unlock the vehicle without removing the phone from a pocket or purse. "... Digital Key Release 3.0, which taps Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and UWB technology to deliver passive, location-aware keyless access. Depending on their location, Tesla's endpoints could provide the ranging information necessary for triangulating a user's position relative to a vehicle. Ranging is part of Digital Key Release 3.0's security backbone which thwarts breaches like relay attacks that attempt to jam or intercept digital key signal." More details here: https://carconnectivity.org/

Hyundai has already been using Digital Key, but their version is only available on Android and based on the older 2.0 release, not the newer 3.0.
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2020-hyundai-sonata-digital-key-new-york-auto-show/

Yes, you get that now with the existing bluetooth key functionality. Like Mike1 said, you just walk up to the car, get in and go. Maybe there's additional security with the digital key concept, but that hasn't been clearly explained.