Most automakers require vehicle owners to download a mobile app and register it to their car to access features like vehicle controls and status updates. While this works for individual owners, it creates challenges for shared services or rental car companies, where users are unlikely to download an app for short-term use.
BMW has addressed this issue in a patent filed with the European Patent Office. The automaker proposes a key fob equipped with a display, allowing users to access essential vehicle information directly—no app required. This innovation simplifies the process for temporary users while maintaining functionality and convenience.
Innovative Key Fob Features
BMW’s key fob:
- Contains a communication module that stays in contact with the vehicle
- Can keep tabs on battery charge in an EV or fuel level in a gas car
- Refreshes the status automatically or manually to keep it up to date
- Has an optional LCD screen and/or color-coded LEDs for visual status feedback
- Has the potential to be expanded with additional features
Advantages
The main advantage is that users have access to vehicle information without having to download an app to a mobile device. It’s a convenient way for car-rental clients to access vehicle info with the minimum of fuss. This also applies to all types of shared-services scenarios where the user has temporary use of the vehicle and doesn’t own it—and doesn’t want to download and register an app.
Our Take
BMW doesn’t say what technology the control module uses to communicate with the vehicle, and whether it’s range dependent. If it can be accessed anywhere, it’s likely cellular-based, and this would be preferable. The added functionality and the display will increase the size and weight of the key fob and its battery will have to be recharged frequently. We think it is, therefore, most useful for shared-ride services and temporary users, while car owners will likely still favor the phone-based app. This type of key fob would be most effective as an optional add-on, tailored for situations where people other than the owner need to use the vehicle.
