Thales to improve vehicle access through reliable and secure contactless solutions 81,000 employees
A leader in advanced technologies, Thales, provides automotive manufacturers with safe, seamless solutions to improve customers’ vehicle access experience. With its Digital Car Key solution, Thales combines innovative NFC CARd Key as its cutting-edge, customizable offerings. The NFC CARd Key is designed as a safe addition to the Digital Key; it is an alternative if there is no smartphone around in the situation. With this NFC-based card, the driver will easily unlock and start the car.
The automobile sector is shifting rapidly from the old to the digital way. As a result, the automotive digital car key market size is expected to expand annually by more than 21% between 2023 and 2031 2. Thales meets these growing demands and benefits through the CCC digital key function. By doing so, it shows a high level of cybersecurity for the digital car key solution and securely creates and stores credentials in a vehicle, on a mobile device or on a contactless card.
By digitally registering drivers’ credentials when purchasing a vehicle, Thales’ Digital Car Key system allows drivers to securely access and start their vehicle using their smartphone, without having to take it out of their pocket or bag. These flexible solutions suit a wide variety of applications in the automotive industry, facilitating car access and car sharing. Private vehicle owners can digitally share their access with family or friends, while rental companies can do the same with customers, eliminating the need to physically collect keys at the counter. In addition, the introduction of Thales’ NFC CARd Key perfectly supports situations where a smartphone is not available.
Thales provides As a contactless payment card, the NFC CARd Key establishes a secure and encrypted communication with the vehicle to enable instant access and engine start, just like the mobile app. With more than 10 years of field durability and high resistance to high temperatures, it ensures robust protection while enabling a smooth and easy “push-to-enter and go” experience. The NFC CARd Key also carries more-than-technical possibilities as an interesting branding project for car makers: its specific design makes it possible, thanks to the broad range of Thales printing possibilities, to craft a truly unique and distinctive card: 3D effect, tactile varnish, etc.
Thales is revolutionizing the automobile sector by providing secure contactless solutions that redefine the entry of vehicles.
The integration of advanced technologies like the Digital Car Key solution by Thales and the NFC CARd Key into their devices focuses on improving convenience and security.
These solutions ensure flawless vehicle access but also include major challenges, such as smartphones not being available or lack of connectivity. An NFC CARd Key as an auxiliary solution to the Digital Key ensures unbroken access; users are able to open and start their vehicle as easily as possible.
This is what Thales can bring together by innovation and a design for users, offering them the chance to fulfill great experiences on the behalf of automotive manufacturers with uncompromising security standards.
Thales brings more than 15 years of experience in providing connectivity and cybersecurity solutions to the automotive industry, with a deep understanding of customer requirements, from everyday use conditions to compliance with strict regulations.”. This extends to expertise in data security in vehicles and mobile devices, providing peace of mind through a robust and resilient approach to cybersecurity,” said Christine Caviglioli, Vice President of the Automotive division at Thales. “With the launch of the NFC CARd Key, Thales is complementing its vehicle access offering with a singular innovation.”. We have the ambition to empower both car manufacturers and drivers with a flexible approach to safe mobility.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, specialising in three business areas: Defence, Aerospace and Cybersecurity & Digital Identity.
Develops products and solutions that contribute to a safer, greener and more inclusive world.
The Group invests around 4 billion euros a year in R&D, especially in key areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.
Thales has around 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.
