A UWB chip could allow your phone to unlock your car.

That is one application for the IC which NXP is working on with car manufacturers.

UWB provides precise, secure, real-time localization capabilities unrivaled by other wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, says NXP.

The technology is designed to give spatial awareness to UWB-equipped cars, mobiles, and other smart devices, to enable cars to know exactly where the users are.

For the first time, smartphone-based car access offers the same level of convenience as state-of-the-art key fobs.

Users can open and start cars, while leaving their phones in their pockets or bags, and enjoy secure remote parking via smartphone.

Furthermore, the new UWB IC brings maximum level of protection against car theft through relay attacks.

In conjunction with the launch of the IC, NXP, BMW Group, Continental and others are jointly working on UWB implementations through the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) and IEEE to ensure the best customer experiences at the intersection of the vehicle, mobile, and consumer devices.

These standardization efforts aim to enable a global standard for handsfree smart access and other automotive localization use cases based on UWB.

Additional Automotive UWB Use Cases:

• Short Range Radar – For life sign detection and easy trunk access
• Smartphone Valet parking – Cars can be “sent” to park autonomously via a smartphone application
• Electric vehicle charging – Autonomous positioning on vehicle charger
• Drive through payment – Localization for secure on the go payment
• Car as a key – Car is enabled to seamlessly access garage door/parking