BMW's personalised key prototype

BMW has developed a prototype car-key-come-credit card.

The card allows personalised vehicle access and cashless payment.

Project manager Hans-Jorg Vogel says: "We first integrated a security chip into the key casing, which communicates across short distances by radio with a car reader." He envisages electronic tickets for bus, train and air transport all stored on the chip, which will also set any BMW's seats, radio and address
books.