Mahindra Partners with Samsung to Launch Digital Keys for Electric SUVs

A top official of the Korean electronics giant announced on 29 October that Mahindra & Mahindra and Samsung had partnered to create digital keys for electric SUVs that are integrated with Samsung Wallet, doing away with the need for physical keys.

While Samsung Wallet supports the digital keys feature of international firms like BMW, BYD, and Mercedes-Benz in India, Mahindra is the first Indian automaker to adopt the initiative, according to Madhur Chaturvedi, senior director for services and apps business at Samsung India. Users using Samsung Wallet on Galaxy Z and S series devices will be able to access the service. When it comes to digital keys, Mahindra was the first Indian automaker to partner with Samsung.

What this Tech Innovation Means to the Customers?

According to Chaturvedi, the business is thrilled that Mahindra is the first Indian vehicle OEM brand to integrate Samsung Wallet's digital car key feature. Along with Samsung's own lock solution, which is available in several countries and selectively in India, we also enable digital house keys from companies like Yale.

The Mahindra eSUV, which has the feature built in, will go on sale in November, and the current models will be phased out, he added. According to Chaturvedi, current Mahindra service centre customers will need to upgrade their software. Galaxy Z and S models released after 2020 will have this feature. Additionally, the firm intends to make it accessible on handsets from the A series.

Step Mahindra eSUV Owners Need to Follow

Owners of Mahindra eSUV vehicles must match both car keys with their Samsung wallet. They won't need to carry actual car keys after they're paired in order to lock and unlock their automobile. According to Chaturvedi, even if the phone's battery runs out, car owners won't be able to unlock their vehicle. The wonderful thing about the NFC method is that the digital key will continue to function even if the owner's phone's battery runs out.

According to Chaturvedi, the consumer can lock and unlock the automobile by tapping the switched-off phone or turning it off. While the phone is charged, he can set it there on the charging station. The owner can still turn the ignition on and off in spite of that.

As per him, talks are on to enable digital key features in other Mahindra vehicles as well. Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer of Mahindra & Mahindra's Automotive Division, stated, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Samsung to introduce yet another first-in-class feature -- Digital Car Key via Samsung Wallet, guaranteeing every journey is even more seamless and convenient."