NFC v autech: hlavní automobilový trend

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is revolutionizing the automotive industry. Warren Buffet’s endorsement alone speaks volumes; his investment firm, Berkshire Hathaway, backs Chinese auto giant BYD Co., which has incorporated NFC digital keys in the majority of its vehicles. This article delves into how NFC is becoming a standard feature in modern cars.

BYD Co., the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer for the past three years, has been at the forefront of adopting NFC technology. In 2019, four out of five BYD cars shipped with support for NFC digital keys. This year, BYD aims to increase this figure to 95%. Besides consumer vehicles, BYD is also a world leader in commercial and industrial electric vehicles, boasting sales of over 113,000 plug-in electric cars and nearly 40,000 electric buses in operation worldwide.

Beyond Warren Buffet’s involvement, the broader automotive industry is rapidly adopting NFC. Apple’s Car Key and the Car Connectivity Consortium’s (CCC) Digital Key 2.0 specifications are pivotal developments. These technologies signify NFC’s growing role in vehicles globally.

In a review of 39 automotive brands, from Audi and Chevrolet to Toyota and Volvo, it was found that almost 30 brands currently utilize or plan to implement NFC technology. This underscores the widespread acceptance and integration of NFC in the automotive sector.

The rumors about Apple’s Car Key were confirmed at the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference 2020. This feature, compatible with iOS 13 and iOS 14, turns an iPhone into a fully functional car key. Using NFC, users can lock, unlock, and start their vehicles by bringing their iPhone close to the car or placing it on an NFC reader.

The iPhone 11 and newer models even allow users to perform these actions with the phone still in their pockets. Remarkably, even if the iPhone’s battery runs out, the Car Key feature can still function for up to five hours. BMW was the first to integrate Car Key into its vehicles, securely storing the digital key in the Apple Wallet.

The Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), a key NFC Forum liaison partner, aims to support the widespread adoption of NFC technology in cars. The CCC’s Digital Key release 2.0 is a secure, standardized ecosystem that enables mobile devices to store, authenticate, and share digital keys for vehicles. This system functions even when the smartphone’s battery is low.

The CCC, with over 100 members including BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, and major tech companies like Apple and Google, is finalizing standards to ensure high interoperability between vehicles and various industry devices.

NFC technology in cars is no longer a fleeting trend. NFC-enabled Apple iPhones can start vehicles, most automotive brands offer or plan to offer NFC functionality, and the CCC has introduced a digital key specification using NFC. Supported by investments from heavyweights like Warren Buffet, NFC is now a standard feature in modern automotive design. The automotive industry’s swift embrace of NFC reflects its vital role in meeting the functional expectations of today’s consumers.