Could Tesla be lining up future support for Apple CarKey? The latest FCC approval details a new Ultra Wide-band B Pillar Endpoint device.
Apple’s Car Key feature allows iPhone and Apple Watch owners to unlock and start compatible vehicles (currently it’s only BMW).
Car Keys are stored within the Wallet app on iPhone or Apple Watch and they can be easily shared with trusted friends and contacts through iMessage.
By placing an iPhone or Apple Watch near a car’s door handle, near an NFC reader, similar to Apple Pay.
For iPhone 11 or later, which supports an Ultra Wide-band chip, these owners don’t even need to take devices out of their pockets to start vehicles.
As for the FCC approval (via Reddit) for this Tesla car part, one of the documents explains, “The EUT is an automotive part (B Pillar Endpoint) with Ultra Wide-band (UWB) operating in 6389.6-7987.2 MHz, Bluetooth Low Energy and NFC capabilities.”
FCC documents note approvals for a new security controller and fascia endpoint, plus also mentions keyfobs.
On Tesla vehicles, the B pillar is where owners tap their card keys to access vehicles. If this spot gains a new part to support Ultra Wide-band, it could theoretically support Apple’s Car Key feature.
Reddit users were quick to suggest Tesla may be adding support for Apple Car Key, or it could be related to Smart Summon, as UWB technology offers spatial awareness.
Earlier this week, BMW announced it would one of the first automakers to support Apple Car Key and allow owners to replace key fobs with iPhones.
BMW will be working with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) and Apple to further efforts of allowing the Digital Key Release 3.0 a worldwide standard for automakers. Tesla is not a member of the CCC, according to the latter’s website.
BMW Digital Key Plus would leverage Ultra Wide-band and allow owners to enter and start their car without taking the iPhones out of pockets or purses, adding convenience and emulating ‘Comfort Access’ key fobs.
Now, whether Tesla will support Apple Car Key or not, only time will tell. But when Ultra Wide-band is involved, that leads many to believe it means iPhone 11 or newer will be involved.
Would you welcome Tesla and Apple Car Key support? It would mean newer iPhones and Apple Watches would act as your Tesla key, eliminating the need for a card key and also bypass Bluetooth connectivity issues and prevent lockouts (Car Key works for up to 5 hours after your iPhone runs out of battery).
