The Future of Smart Car Keys With UWB

UWB is a wireless technology that allows your smartphone to connect and communicate directly with your car. Once a digital key is registered, the GV60 can identify authorized Galaxy devices and unlock the doors as they approach.

Travel Light With Digital Key on Samsung Pass

Digital key is available through Samsung Pass, a system for storing digital signatures, IDs and passwords. Later this year, we are excited to expand this service to Samsung Wallet, which will also allow users to securely store and manage digital IDs, boarding passes, vouchers and credit cards on their phone.² It helps you keep everything you need to get through the day in one, safe, practical and convenient place.

To use a digital key on your smartphone:

• Install and open up the Genesis Connected Service app in the car.
• Select “Vehicle” menu on the infotainment system.
• Select the “Digital Key” menu on the screen, and “Register” on your Genesis Connected app.

That’s it! Samsung Pass should start automatically registering the key in both apps.

Now, you can leave your car keys at home.

Unlock New Ways of Starting Your Car

Depending on your car’s settings, there are two ways to unlock your car using UWB. You can open your car door by pressing the door handle while your phone is in your bag or pocket, or you can automatically unlock it simply by approaching the car with your smartphone.³ Both ways can be used interchangeably, so you can always choose the option that makes life easier.

Users can also enjoy some helpful features remotely on their phone, like honking the horn or starting the car, before entering the vehicle by pressing the engine button in Samsung Pass.

Share Your Digital Key With Family and Friends

What about when someone needs to borrow your car? You can choose to share your digital key with three of your contacts by selecting them from a list and clicking ‘Send digital key’. This will send a text message that guides them through setting up a digital key on their Galaxy smartphone. Once you share the key, the recipient can start using it immediately by adding it to their Samsung Pass. You can even control how long they have access to the key, and revoke access when needed.

Users can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their digital key is secure, thanks to the high-level security chipset protecting Samsung Pass. The app’s authentication process ensures you always have control over who can borrow your car key, and when.

At Samsung, we believe that all of our users deserve the convenience of a more digital lifestyle. That’s why we continue working to expand our digital key services through innovative collaborations with global car companies. Our goal is to increase the number of smartphone devices that support digital keys powered by UWB technology.

¹ Devices supporting the digital key powered by UWB technology: Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold3, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (7 devices total)

² Timing and availability of features and services described in this release may vary by market and model and are subject to change.

³ Unlock by approaching is optional.

At its Galaxy S21 Unpacked event earlier this year, Samsung announced a series of partnerships with automakers. The Genesis GV60 will become the first vehicle to showcase the innovative new technology when it launches in September, starting in Korea.

Samsung’s digital key is powered by advanced UWB technology, a short-range, wireless communication protocol that uses radio waves to operate, much like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. However, UWB transmits radio waves at a much higher frequency, enabling highly accurate spatial awareness and directional capabilities that allow mobile devices to understand their surroundings better.

UWB enables passive entry, so you can say goodbye to digging through your pockets and bags in search of your keys. You’ll be able to lock and unlock your car, start the engine, open the trunk and even activate personalized settings like adjusting your seat and mirror position before you enter the car — all through your smartphone and without pushing a button. If you’re lending your car to a friend or family member for a short period, you can easily share the digital key and even set a time limit on how long the shared key will be available to them.⁴

The solution uses Samsung’s embedded Secure Element (eSE), designed to protect your most sensitive information and encryption keys, so you never have to worry about your keys falling into the wrong hands. The precision of UWB technology also stops potential relay attacks, where the radio signal is jammed or intercepted. Samsung’s digital key is fully compliant with the digital key standard as defined by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), in which Samsung has been one of the driving members.

“We are proud to partner with Genesis as part of our mission to create exciting new mobile experiences that can make people’s everyday lives easier,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “As we continue to drive advancements in mobile technology like UWB, our priority is now to bring these new experiences to as many people as possible, in collaboration with our trusted ecosystem partners.”

“GV60 will set the bar for luxurious electric vehicle representing the electrification of the Genesis brand,” said Albert Biermann, President and head of R&D division at Hyundai Motor Group. “The partnership with Samsung Electronics will strengthen our efforts to provide truly differentiated experiences for our customers to interact with Genesis vehicles.”

Samsung’s digital key will be available in NFC and UWB with the Genesis GV60 initially in Korea by the end of this year. The UWB digital key is compatible with Galaxy S21+ and Ultra, Note20 Ultra and Z Fold2 and 3. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/levant/apps/samsung-pass/ or www.genesis.com/worldwide/en/models/luxury-suv-genesis/gv60/highlights.html.

About Genesis

Genesis is a global luxury automotive brand that delivers the highest standards of performance, design, safety and innovation while looking towards a more sustainable future. Genesis designs customer experiences that go beyond products, embodying audacious, progressive and distinctly Korean characteristics within its unique “Athletic Elegance” design identity. With a growing range of luxury models — including the G90, G80, G70, GV60, GV70, and GV80 — Genesis aims to lead the age of electrification by focusing on a dual electrification strategy involving fuel-cell and battery EVs, starting with its G80 and GV60 electric models. Genesis has stated its commitment to becoming a 100% zero emission vehicle brand by 2030 and to pursuing carbon neutrality by 2035. Since its initial launch in Korea, Genesis has emerged in key global markets including North America, Europe, China, Australia, Russia, and the Middle East, establishing a strong relationship with customers around the world. For more information, please visit the official website at https://www.genesis.com.

¹ Eligible Galaxy smartphone with Android OS R and above

² Digital key feature will be available within this year.

³ Digital key is shared via Samsung Pass app. Those who do not have Samsung Pass app on the device should install Samsung Pass app prior to use. Key sharing is only available in eligible Galaxy smartphones with Android R and above. UWB is only available in Galaxy S21+ and Ultra, Note20 Ultra and Z Fold2 and 3.

⁴ Digital key is shared via Samsung Pass app. Those who do not have Samsung Pass app on the device should install Samsung Pass app prior to use. Key sharing is only available in eligible Galaxy smartphones with Android R and above. UWB is only available in Galaxy S21+ and Ultra, Note20 Ultra and Z Fold2 and 3.