Classic car keys may go into oblivion. Volvo is the first car manufacturer in the world, which will replace the car key with the app on smartphones.

The phone loaded with the appropriate application is connected with the car via Bluetooth. The app enables to unlock the car doors and start the engine and takes over the role of a traditional car key.

Volvo believes that the penetration of new technology will make the use of the car easier, because the phone will not have to be taken from your pocket or handbag. This has opened up new areas in the production of cars.

Everyone has its own key

“There are many ways in which you can apply the technology of digital key,” said Martin Rosenqvist, head of the department for special products in the Volvo, and added: “We look forward to seeing how else this technology might be used in the future and we welcome any and all ideas.”

The technology allows the car to be unlocked and run by various family members or groups, each with its own smartphone. The virtual key can be sent to you by using the application. The technology could also be interesting for companies who lend cars because the tenant can receive the vehicle key on his phone.

“At Volvo we are not interested in technology for the sake of technology,” explains Henrik Green, vice president of product development at Volvo. He also said: “New technology has to make our customers’ lives easier and save them time. Mobility needs are evolving and so are our customers’ expectation to access cars in an uncomplicated way. Our innovative digital key technology has the potential to completely change how a Volvo can be accessed and shared. Instead of sitting idle in a parking lot the entire day, cars could be used more often and efficiently by whoever the owner wishes.”

With that he thought that today the cars are parked most of the day, instead of being on the road and shared. Car sharing is certainly going to rise in the years to come and become more and more important branch of automobile ownership.

Image credit: Volvo