Thousands of Volkswagen drivers are enjoying a new feature of their state-of-the-art experience, Volkswagen Connect. This innovative key fob helps locate keys and mobile phones, reducing the hassle of losing them when needed.
Collaboration and Development
The beacon-based key fob solution exemplifies close cooperation between Accent Systems, as hardware experts, and DDB as the communication agency. DDB envisioned the project, which we brought to life for Volkswagen Spain.
As a hardware partner, Accent Systems has managed all development phases of the beacon key fob: hardware design, firmware development, industrial design, prototyping, and mass production.
Technology and Functionality
The key fob uses beacon technology, sending short-distance signals to connect smartphones with objects. Bluetooth Low Energy ensures low energy consumption and precise tracking of linked devices, especially regarding proximity.
How Does It Work?
The smart key fob has multiple functions: locating keys via a mobile app, finding the smartphone through the key fob, or using it as a remote control for selfies.
The key fob sends data packages using Bluetooth Low Energy, recognized exclusively by the Volkswagen Connect app, enabling the key fob to locate the smartphone. If keys or a mobile are misplaced within range, a sound signal is activated for quick recovery.
When out of range, the app shows the last GPS location where the smartphone and key fob separated. The key fob can also connect directly to the smartphone camera, transforming the button into a remote control for selfies.
The firmware includes a Physical Web advertising system that sends notifications to nearby Google Chrome users to aid in recovering a lost key fob, even without the Volkswagen Connect app. This showcases the future potential of Physical Web technology.
Why Accent Systems?
We are a Spanish hardware company offering wireless electronic solutions. With a global service outlook, we help organizations create innovative IoT products, covering all processes from idea to mass production in our Barcelona facilities.
We are known for our expertise in beacon hardware, notably the iBKS BLE beacon, the most flexible on the market. We see beacon technology as more than a ‘spam machine’; its potential is limited only by developers’ and users’ imagination.
With over 9 years of experience in developing and manufacturing wireless devices, primarily with Bluetooth Low Energy, we also work with technologies like WiFi, GPRS, 3G, 4G, and Sigfox across various fields, including automotive, medical, and tracking systems.
If interested in developing an IoT project, contact us. We would love to hear from you.
