Volvo says goodbye to keys, drivers will use a smartphone app to access their vehicle

Volvo will soon be the first automaker to do away with the traditional keys, since Volvo plans to offer cars without keys starting in 2017. Drivers will have to use a smartphone app to unlock, lock and start their Volvos.

Volvo_Cars_digital_key

Volvo will soon be the first automaker to do away with the traditional keys, since Volvo plans to offer cars without keys starting in 2017. Drivers will have to use a smartphone app to unlock, lock and start their Volvos.
According to Volvo, the Bluetooth-enabled digital key technology, will offer Volvo customers far more flexibility, enabling them to benefit from entirely new ways to use and share cars. The technology will also offer customers the possibility to receive more than one digital key on their app allowing them to access different Volvo cars in different locations – according to their changing mobility needs.

Related: Volvo reveals the stylish 2017 V90 wagon

The app would open the availability of using Volvos in a new car sharing program. Using the app people could potentially book and pay for a rental car anywhere in the world and have the digital car key delivered to their phone immediately. On arrival a customer could simply locate the rental car via GPS. Owners will also be able to send their digital key to other people via their mobile phones, which will make it easy to share their Volvos with other family members, friends or co-workers.

Volvo will pilot this technology in spring 2016 via its car sharing firm Sunfleet, stationed at Gothenburg airport, Sweden. A limited number of commercially available cars will be equipped with the new digital key technology in 2017. Once the technology is fully available, Volvo will still offer physical keys to owners that want them.

Source: Volvo