Electronic component manufacturer LG Innotek, an LG Group affiliate, has developed the next-generation Digital Key solution for the automotive communication component market.
The Digital Key enables users to open, lock and start their vehicle using a smartphone connected through wireless communication technology, eliminating the need for a traditional car key and reducing the risk of theft.
Since launching its ‘Digital Key Module for Vehicles’ in 2021, LG Innotek has updated the solution, which now includes bluetooth low energy (BLE) and ultra wideband (UWB) technologies. UWB provides precise location measurement of the connected smartphone and the company’s algorithm detects the smartphone’s location to within 10cm.
The solution uses short-range communication and in-house-developed wireless communication hacking-prevention technology to ensure that only the authorized smartphone can activate the Digital Key. The solution integrates over 60 components and modules for BLE and UWB wireless communication.
LG Innotek says the solution adheres to the latest standards of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), making it compatible with a wide range of smartphones and vehicle types. It supports both iOS and Android operating systems.
Additional safety features include the ‘child presence detection (CPD)’ function, which uses an in-house developed radar to detect a child’s presence in the vehicle and sends real-time alerts to the user’s smartphone. This feature is expected to become mandatory in the USA and Europe next year.
CEO Hyuksoo Moon said, “LG Innotek will continue to foster automotive communication components based on its unparalleled wireless communication source technology. We aim to present products that offer differentiated customer value and solidify our position as a leader in the global automotive communication component market.”
LG Innotek plans to begin mass production of the Digital Key solution in 2027 and is promoting it to automotive manufacturers.
