'Lock and Start Your Car with a Smartphone' LG Innotek Develops Digital Key Module

Application of Ultra Wideband Wireless Communication Technology
Industry-Leading Location Accuracy and Enhanced Security
Growing Demand for Vehicle Digital Keys... 28.9 Million Units Expected Globally by 2025

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] LG Innotek announced on the 24th that it has successfully developed a vehicle 'digital key module' with improved location recognition accuracy and security.

The digital key module is a communication component installed in vehicles that enables wireless data transmission between the car and a smartphone. A digital key is a next-generation car key that allows users to unlock and lock doors or start the engine using a smartphone. Drivers can control the vehicle and also view the vehicle status such as mileage, fuel efficiency, and tire pressure at a glance through their smartphones.

The digital key can be lent to others via an application, and specific functions such as trunk opening can be selectively permitted. Since there is no need to carry a physical key, there is no worry about losing the car key, and driving is only possible when the smartphone is inside the vehicle, reducing the risk of car theft.

With the recent growth of the vehicle-sharing industry, including car sharing and rental cars, the demand for digital key modules has been increasing annually. However, existing digital key modules had limitations due to low smartphone location recognition accuracy and security concerns such as communication hacking, making their application difficult.

The digital key module developed by LG Innotek this time applies UWB (Ultra Wideband) technology, a short-range wireless communication technology, and proprietary algorithms to improve location recognition accuracy. It also features enhanced security with its own communication hacking prevention technology.

Industry-leading Location Recognition Accuracy and Enhanced Security

When LG Innotek's digital key module is applied to a vehicle, it can detect the smartphone location about five times more accurately compared to existing modules. The error range between the smartphone location and the module's recognized location has been reduced from 50cm to within 10cm. For example, if an existing module recognized a smartphone located 5m away as being between 4.7m and 5.2m, this module can recognize it more accurately as being between 4.9m and 5m.

To achieve this, LG Innotek used UWB technology, which offers higher distance and direction accuracy compared to BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). Additionally, it applied proprietary wireless communication antenna design technology and independently developed location measurement algorithms.

The more accurately the digital key module can identify the smartphone location, the more diverse and convenient functions can be implemented. For example, it can recognize the driver's smartphone location and pre-open only the driver's door or automatically start the engine.

Moreover, it enables personalized driving environments. When multiple people share one car, the module recognizes each individual smartphone location and automatically adjusts the driver's seat or side mirrors to the optimal settings for the current driver. Even if several people with the same digital key board the vehicle simultaneously, it can accurately identify who is sitting in the driver's seat.

This product also enhances security. It applies a self-developed communication hacking prevention technology that prevents manipulation or radio interference between the vehicle and the smartphone. This significantly reduces vehicle theft incidents caused by smartphone loss or digital key hacking.

Despite incorporating all these functions, the digital key module is small and slim. Using ultra-precision and high-integration technology, it contains over 60 components including RF (Radio Frequency) elements and power block elements within a module the size of a single clip. Its compact size allows it to be freely installed anywhere inside or outside the vehicle.

Additionally, it follows the latest standards of the global digital key standardization organization, the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), so it can be used regardless of country, terrain, or vehicle type. LG Innotek is a core member of this consortium and actively participates in digital key standardization alongside major global automakers, telecommunications operators, and smartphone manufacturers.

LG Innotek "Accelerating Market Penetration of Digital Key Modules"

LG Innotek plans to actively target the next-generation vehicle communication components market with its digital key modules. The company is aggressively promoting its products to global automakers and vehicle parts companies in the US, Japan, Europe, as well as domestically, aiming for mass production in 2022.

Yoo Insoo, Executive Director of LG Innotek's Automotive Components Business Division, said, "Using digital key modules, it will be possible to implement various mobility services that enhance customer value," adding, "We will continue to introduce innovative components that provide drivers with a convenient, safe, and enjoyable driving experience."

Global market research firm Strategy Analytics forecasts that the number of vehicles equipped with digital keys worldwide will increase from 6.3 million units this year to 28.9 million units by 2025, a growth of approximately 360%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.