Munich, Germany - BMW Group Research and Technology has developed a prototype multifunctional car key which enables cashless payment and personalized vehicle access. It uses a security chip in the key casing that could, in future, could be used for such things as electronic tickets for bus, train and air travel.

The company said the key could also access secure in-car personal data through a BMW vehicle’s ConnectedDrive services, or identify a driver to a rental BMW vehicle and adopt his individual settings, since the key can now be linked to the car owner, rather than any particular car.

“With the concept of integrating a cashless payment function into a car key, we are working on ways of linking up vehicle technology and lifestyle,” said Prof. Raymond Freymann, Director of BMW Group Research and Technology.