Hyundai Debuts New Connectivity Concept

11 years, 10 months ago - 25 December 2012, Insideline

The Hyundai Connectivity Concept boosts the link between the car and the smartphone and is bound for production in 2015. What it means is that the traditional key fob is about to go the way of the rumble seat.

A car can be locked and unlocked with the user's smartphone. The user places his or her smartphone over an NFC tag, short for Near Field Communication, thus negating the need for a traditional key fob, explained the Korean automaker in a statement.

The technology was demonstrated on a Hyundai i30. Hyundai did not disclose pricing for the technology or say which of its vehicles would be the first to get it.

The device activates the user's profile inside the car by streaming content to the touchscreen, Hyundai noted.

"All user content such as music, phone contacts, radio station preferences and individual profile settings are displayed," said Hyundai in a statement. "In addition, the device's battery is recharged wirelessly while in use."

The Connectivity Concept uses MirrorLink to wirelessly access and control personal content through the touchscreen, including navigation, Internet-based applications and multimedia.

As the technology develops, there will be capabilities to store a driver's favored seating positions and exterior mirror settings.

Automakers are in a race to heighten the connection between cars and user devices. Toyota recently debuted Qi wireless charging on its 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited.