Mahindra, Samsung Team Up to Develop eSUV Digital Keys

• Mahindra & Mahindra partners with Samsung to introduce digital car keys for eSUVs
• Feature available for Samsung Galaxy Z and S series users
• NFC-based keys work even when the phone battery is low

Mahindra & Mahindra is collaborating with Samsung to offer digital car keys for its electric SUVs via the Samsung Wallet app, eliminating the necessity of a physical key.

The partnership showcases EV innovation in eSUV models through digital keys, enhancing electric vehicles, connected cars, and automotive technology to drive smart mobility and strengthen the Mahindra partnership.

Madhur Chaturvedi, Senior Director for Services and Apps Business at Samsung India, announced the partnership recently, adding that Mahindra is the first Indian automobile maker with this capability.

Samsung Wallet also currently provides digital keys to global brands like BMW, BYD, and Mercedes-Benz in India. The Technology will be available to Samsung Wallet users on their Galaxy Z series and S series of mobile devices.

Chaturvedi stated, "We are very delighted that Mahindra is the first Indian auto OEM brand where we are integrating the digital car key feature with Samsung Wallet. Also, we have support for digital home keys with brands like Yale, as well as Samsung's own lock solution that's available in multiple countries and selectively available in India as well".

Mahindra's future eSUV models will have the digital key functionality available for retail starting in November, while existing eSUV's will undergo a gradual rollout process.

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"Existing car owners will need to get their software updated at the Mahindra service centre. This feature will be available on Galaxy Z and S series launched after 2020. We are also planning to make it available on A series devices as well", Chaturvedi added.

To utilize the feature, Mahindra eSUV owners connect their Samsung Wallet paired with the car keys. This allows owners to both lock and unlock the vehicle without needing a physical key on their person.

The system utilizes NFC technology, which allows a phone with a dead battery to provide some residual power, which will allow the digital key to work.

Chaturvedi said that communication started to take the digital key capability to other Mahindra vehicles, illustrating an important forward step towards making mobility smarter, better connected and part of a wider ecosystem in India.

"You can tap the switched off phone or power off the phone, the car will get locked and unlocked. And you can place it there on the charging stand while the phone starts charging. Regardless of that, you can turn on the ignition on and off", he added.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer - Automotive Division at Mahindra & Mahindra noted, "We are delighted to partner with Samsung to bring yet another first-in-class feature -- Digital Car key via Samsung wallet, ensuring every journey is even more seamless and convenient".