Rivian developing ‘Apple Watch as a key’ feature

[Gullwingdmc]

“In a recent Q&A session this week, Rivian’s head of software development, Wassym Bensaid, revealed that the company is actively testing support for allowing Apple Watch to serve as a key for R1T and R1S vehicles.

According to a user on the Rivian Forums, Bensaid said during the Q&A session that support for “Apple Watch as a key is being actively looked into/tested” and is on the company’s “roadmap” for a future software update.”

I wonder how they will be implementing this and if it will use Apples CarKey API which relies on NFC or UWB.

https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/21/rivi...vKmqEfi2pn4z7mA_4PvnL-md9XiKk&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

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[ronco]

While sounding cool, I don’t think it would be for me. When are you out driving with a watch but no phone? Also, I don’t want to stake my car access on my watch’s SOC (although admittedly I have a very old series 5 Apple Watch). Still, cool idea.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

While sounding cool, I don’t think it would be for me. When are you out driving with a watch but no phone? Also, I don’t want to stake my car access on my watch’s SOC (although admittedly I have a very old series 5 Apple Watch). Still, cool idea.

If they use Apples CarKey API then your phone and I believe Watch could be used to start the car even if the battery is dead.

For me it’s less relying on it to be the key, and more gaining access to the faster lock/unlock, start, and adding frunk & trunk buttons.

 

[Logal727]

If they use Apples CarKey API then your phone and I believe Watch could be used to start the car even if the battery is dead.

For me it’s less relying on it to be the key, and more gaining access to the faster lock/unlock, start, and adding frunk & trunk buttons.

the CarKey API requires the hardware to do it, so unless Rivian already has Ultra Wideband built-in to current models, it would have to wait for a refresh. If they are relying on Bluetooth LE, well.. then good luck. It's been big pain point for PAAK.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

the CarKey API requires the hardware to do it, so unless Rivian already has Ultra Wideband built-in to current models, it would have to wait for a refresh.

It’s possible they were thinking ahead and put an UWB in, but didn’t activate it. CarKey can also use NFC, but it’s a lot less convenient and Apple is phasing it out in favor of UWB.

I know the Apple watch can connect to devices over Bluetooth, but I don’t know if it’s only certain types of devices or all devices.

 

[ronco]

If they use Apples CarKey API then your phone and I believe Watch could be used to start the car even if the battery is dead.

For me it’s less relying on it to be the key, and more gaining access to the faster lock/unlock, start, and adding frunk & trunk buttons.

I am all for fast lock/unlock however that is possible. I like PAAK, but all too frequently it takes several button pushes to open.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

I am all for fast lock/unlock however that is possible. I like PAAK, but all too frequently it takes several button pushes to open.

If a company did this right it would be a complication on the watch face to open the app, and then a tap to unlock.

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