• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechApple

Apple Has Designed an iPhone-Based Car Key

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 24, 2016, 1:26 PM ET
2016 Honda Accord with Apple CarPlay®
2016 Honda Accord with Apple CarPlay®Courtesy of Honda

As if there wasn’t already enough evidence to suggest Apple is working on a car, a newly-awarded patent has thrown more fuel on that flame.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has awarded Apple (AAPL) a patent on controlling a vehicle using a portable device, such as an iPhone or iPad. The patent, which was earlier discovered by Apple-tracking sites Patently Apple and 9to5 Mac, specifically describes how a device could access the vehicle’s computer and tell it what to do, including unlock its doors, start it up, and much more.

“For example, a vehicle-related operation can be an operation to unlock a vehicle’s doors, unlock a vehicle’s storage compartment, start a vehicle’s engine, activate a vehicle’s audio or audiovisual entertainment system, activate a vehicle’s global positioning system (GPS), activate a vehicle’s dashboard console, turn on a vehicle’s passenger compartment lights, adjust a vehicle’s seats, turn on a vehicle’s headlights, open a vehicle’s sun roof, turn on a vehicle’s windshield wipers, activate a vehicle’s automatic parking system, activate a vehicle’s wireless communication system, and/or the like,” Apple wrote in its lengthy description of its patent.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

The car and app would connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or a cellular data network, according to the patent.

Due to how broad the patent is, it might sound like some technologies already available in cars. Several auto companies, for instance, sell vehicles that communicate with apps that can start it up and lock its doors. Tesla (TSLA), the electric car maker, also has a connected app providing a wide range of features, including the ability to auto-park the vehicle.

However, Apple’s patent adds an extra component: support for two devices to control the vehicle. The first would be a primary device with full control over the vehicle. Another, called the secondary device, would essentially take orders from the primary device on how it can control the vehicle and access its functions. So, if someone else with the secondary device is allowed access to the car, the primary device would set certain limitations on how the secondary device could interact with the vehicle, including whether the car can be started and how far it can go.

While it’s unclear whether Apple’s technology will ever make its way to vehicles—companies will often times patent all types of technologies that may never make their way to actual products, after all—it lends even more credibility to the idea that the company is working on a car.

For more about Apple Car, watch: [fortune-brightcove videoid=4670294166001]

Over the last several months, rumors have been flying fast and furious that Apple is working on a car. Even Apple CEO Tim Cook has stoked the flames, hinting that the company might be up to something in that market. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has called Apple’s plans to launch an electric car the worst-kept secret in Silicon Valley. The company is also reportedly hiring heavily from other car makers to help with its car-building efforts believed to be known internally as Project Titan.

Meanwhile, Apple hasn’t uttered a word about its plans and likely won’t for quite some time. Most estimates peg the company not getting its rumored car on roads until 2020.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.