"With Just a Smartphone, Car Doors Open Wide"…Hyundai Motor Group Launches 'Digital Key 2' Service

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and Genesis models now offer a feature that allows users to unlock the car doors and start the engine even when carrying their smartphones in their pockets or bags.

On the 12th, Hyundai Motor Group announced that it has recently launched the contactless 'Digital Key 2' service using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless communication technology.

The service will be selectively applied starting with the Genesis GV60 equipped with the Digital Key 2 option, followed by the G90 and other Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles to be released later. Customers who purchase eligible vehicles can automatically activate the Digital Key 2 function through an over-the-air (OTA) wireless software update without visiting a Hi-Tech Center (formerly Service Center).

Afterward, by registering the key on Samsung and Apple smartphones that support Digital Key 2, users can utilize the updated features. Compatible smartphone models can be checked on the official Genesis website and the smartphone manufacturers' websites.

The contactless Digital Key 2 function was developed according to the technical standards of the 'Car Connectivity Consortium.' Hyundai Motor Group is the first automaker worldwide to offer Digital Key compatibility simultaneously with smartphones manufactured by Samsung and Apple.

To develop the contactless Digital Key 2, Hyundai Motor Group newly applied Ultra-Wideband wireless communication technology. In particular, hardware to support UWB services was pre-installed from the development stage of the GV60 and G90 vehicles to ensure compatibility between the vehicles and smartphones.

The newly introduced Digital Key 2 feature through this wireless software update significantly improves distance and directional recognition accuracy compared to the existing Digital Key, which only applied Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies, thereby enhancing customer convenience.

Accordingly, GV60 owners with the Digital Key 2 option can access the vehicle and use the locking function simply by carrying their smartphones after the wireless software update.

Additionally, the engine can be started without placing the smartphone on the wireless charger equipped with an NFC antenna inside the vehicle, and the smart trunk function supports automatic opening of the trunk when approaching the rear detection area and waiting for more than 3 seconds. Other features provided through Digital Key 2 include welcome light activation, where the puddle lamps turn on and the side mirrors unfold as the smartphone holder approaches the vehicle.

A Hyundai Motor Group official stated, "The newly introduced Digital Key 2 service has significantly enhanced vehicle usability," adding, "We plan to continuously provide customers with an experience as if they are boarding a new vehicle over time through wireless software updates."

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group plans to further enhance customer convenience by collaborating with smartphone manufacturers such as Xiaomi and Huawei to enable the use of Digital Key 2 on their smartphones in the future.

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