Continental - NFC Key Control Systems For Automobiles

Continental Automotive Group are a large international manufacturer of sophisticated electronic control systems for passenger, commercial, special and two-wheeled vehicles.

Recently we wrote about the IAA show held in Germany, where a company was displaying their technology for NFC (Near Field Communication) controls for cars. See Article

It turns out that Continental Automotive Group have been one of the leaders of this research for about 3 years now and are ready to begin selling these advanced access control systems to the various automobile manufacturers worldwide.

The Locksmith industry, worldwide has seen many new key manufacturing machines and auto-diagnostic companies develop after market (after-dealership) diagnostic devices capable of programming and originating the electro-mechanical transponder keys used in the modern automobiles we see today on the road.

Your New Car Key 

When NFC started to be included in mobile telephones (smartphones), Continental were one of the first companies to recognize this highly secure technology would dramatically change the whole automotive access control market.









There are a significant number of locksmiths who choose to offer automobile key manufacturing services around the world and it seems there are more and more tradespeople trying to enter the market. (We have chosen to not offer automobile key manufacturing services).

The days of the automotive locksmith are numbered I suggest. The number of current automobile manufacturers that offer proximity card access control systems, like Audi and Nissan and Toyota for example, are increasing. Ford and Lincoln vehicles have included combination code entry systems for a number of years on their vehicles and many other automobile manufacturers also have decided  in recent years to reduce the number of mechanical key locks they include on their vehicles.

There are vehicles right now, that do not have a keyhole to operate the boot/trunk and many that have covered the drivers door keyhole, because most car owners/drivers choose to uses their remote control to enter or access the storage compartments.

NFC will spell the end of the Automotive Locksmith. Before too long, you will need to call a mobile phone technician instead of a locksmith when the need arises. How long? I dont know exactly, but I suggest within 10 years.

Google were one of the companies responsible for developing NFC and I suggest that in the future they may be your source for automobile access solutions when your need arises.

Oh......and you will not want to lose your mobile phone will you?

(source...)