Daimler said its redesigned A-Class, due to make its public debut at the Geneva show next week, is set up for private car sharing using the Mercedes me app Car Sharing.
According to the German Car Sharing Association, 1.7m people in the country are registered with providers such as market leader car2go.
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The app allows drivers to share their vehicle with a specified group of users.
The authorised user opens the vehicle using the app and by means of the communication module installed in the vehicle. The car is started with the vehicle key which is left in the car and temporary use of which is likewise enabled over the air by the app. When returning the vehicle, the driver puts the key back in the car and closes the car with the app, ending the sharing period. The key can be used only during the sharing period.
Digital vehicle key as sticker
The car can also be opened, closed and started by means of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology used by the Digital Vehicle Key.
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By GlobalDataGerman market cars will have a Digital Vehicle Key Sticker with a built in NFC controller eliminating the need for an NFC capable smartphone.
First launched with the E-Class, the Digital Vehicle Key is now a factory optional extra for a number of Mercedes models but not every smartphone has an NFC interface that complies with the automaker’s security standards. The Digital Vehicle Key Sticker with microcontroller can be ordered via Mercedes me with delivery through a sales dealer.
Once stuck on the smartphone, the sticker allows contactless opening, closing and starting of the vehicle. To start the engine, the driver places the smartphone with NFC sticker in the centre console tray. Qi-compatible smartphones with a receiver coil for wireless charging are also inductively charged while in the tray.
NFC is an international communications standard for short range wireless data exchange. Data transfer begins automatically when an NFC capable device is held close to another device. The Digital Vehicle Key transfers the authorisation to drive the vehicle to a secured and encrypted chip in the phone or sticker. This can then be used as a car key. The Digital Vehicle Key Sticker is also available for a number of car lines in conjunction with the digital vehicle key for smartphone.
