FIME et al. launch NFC car sharing program
FIME has announced the launch of a new car sharing and access control program using NFC technology.
Developed alongside automotive components provider Valeo and French telecom Orange Business Services, the solution enables drivers to book a car, receive a key and access and start the car all using an NFC-enabled phone.
According to FIME, the solution is designed for vehicle sharing within companies or privately among a group of friends. Here’s how it works:
- The owner of the NFC-enabled vehicle logs into the car sharing site.
- They build up their user community by inviting participants to the program via SMS. Once the invitation has been accepted, the participant’s NFC-enabled mobile phone can be used as a virtual key.
- The participant reserves a time slot using their mobile device to access the vehicle. Once the slot has been confirmed, they will receive a one-time virtual encrypted key on their mobile phone.
- The participant brings the handset close to the vehicle door and dashboard featuring Valeo NFC readers to open and start the car.
FIME develop the application software that resides in the end-users mobile phone, which manages and stores a car’s virtual key once the booking on the car-share application has taken place. The key can only be received for the time slot requested by the user, with the vehicle owner’s permission and is fully encrypted, says FIME.
Pascal Le Ray, CEO of FIME, comments: “This NFC solution delivers many benefits, such as avoiding keys being lost, enables easy monitoring and regulation of the distribution of ignition keys, and optimizes vehicle loan management due to the comprehensive booking system. Such advancements in the use of NFC technology highlights the capabilities and opportunities that can be achieved through innovation and market convergence.”