Japanese car maker Toyota has developed an App called Smart Key Box that lets people use smartphones to access and start up a car.
The app would only allow users that have previously signed up for the shared-use car to operate it, providing a more secure way of lending and renting cars, Toyota said in a statement on Monday.
For the pilot programme that will begin in San Francisco in January has invested in Getaround in October — a peer-to-peer sharing service that allows private car owners to rent out their vehicles when they are not using them.
The device works with a cloud service where an individual can be given access to a specific car for a set time period, CNET reported.
According to Toyota, Smart Key Box “can be placed in a vehicle without modification,” enabling engine start and door lock access.
The smartphone app, connecting to Toyota’s cloud-based Mobility Services Platform, can also handle payments and loan scheduling.
“The platform has individual business functions like vehicle management systems and leasing programmes,” Toyota said.