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An Apple patent discovered a few weeks ago shows the idea of a contactless locking system for the legendary Project Titan – the Apple Car.
The Apple Car of the future could enable keyless entry using Bluetooth and ultra-wideband technology. This is at least according to a patent titled "Mobile device for communicating and ranging with access control system for automatic functionality." The Apple patent description states:
Two different wireless protocols can be used to distinguish between a mobile device and an access control system (e.g., a vehicle). The first wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth.RTM.) can be used to perform authentication of the vehicle and exchange capabilities between a mobile device (e.g., a phone or watch) and the vehicle. The second wireless protocol (e.g., ultra-wideband, UWB) can use a pulse width that is smaller than the pulse width of the first wireless protocol (e.g., 1 ns vs. 1 mu.s). The narrower pulse width can provide higher accuracy for distance measurements.
According to this, the iCar could actually be unlocked using Bluetooth and ultra-wideband technology. A physical key would therefore be superfluous. Apple wants to use this technology to make things more convenient for users, as the patent shows. Cell phone, coffee and more? Who wants to reach for a key with their hands full? So if Apple has its way, the future could be much more convenient.
More than just a locking system
The patent essentially describes the refinement of Bluetooth and ultra-wideband technology in distance measurement to enable a keyless locking system. This requires an iPhone or Apple Watch, as can be seen from the patent. Both devices would communicate with the car and wirelessly confirm the identity of the owner. The special feature: The technology could also start the lights, the engine, the heating, the air conditioning and more, as well as query all relevant information. If Apple actually succeeds in developing a market-ready car - then we can look forward to something really exciting. However, it should be noted that not every patent ultimately makes it into series production. Since this is the iCar, it could be quite a while before that happens. (Photo by ZinetroN / Bigstockphoto)
