Source: Smart Communication and Positioning Circle
As an authoritative organization enhancing consumer experience through standardized, secure, and convenient connectivity solutions, the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) has recently announced that its CCC Digital Key™ certification program now includes low-energy Bluetooth (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies.
This expansion builds on the existing NFC-supported certification system, adding key features such as remote access, passive entry, and passive start. By incorporating BLE and UWB into the certification scope, CCC ensures that the digital key solutions developed by its members meet the highest standards of interoperability, security, and functionality. The integration certification of NFC, BLE, and UWB complementary technologies will assist automotive manufacturers, device vendors, and technology suppliers in providing a seamless and trustworthy vehicle access experience.
CCC Chair Alysia Johnson stated: “The upgrade of the CCC Digital Key™ certification program reflects our ongoing commitment to technological innovation. Supporting BLE and UWB will drive seamless and secure vehicle access across devices and brands, truly benefiting consumers.”
Key Upgrade Highlights
End-to-End Interoperability: By supporting NFC for touch unlock/lock and start, BLE for remote keyless entry, and UWB for complementary passive keyless entry and start functions, smooth communication between devices and vehicles is ensured.
Security Architecture Upgrade: Evaluating the digital key app stored in the secure element of mobile devices ensures that all security-critical processing and storage of digital keys are properly implemented to withstand the highest levels of software and hardware attacks, allowing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers to trust the security of communication between devices and vehicles, protecting consumer data and privacy.
Cross-Platform Key Sharing: Supports secure key sharing between different ecosystem devices such as iOS/Android.
Optimized Seamless Experience: When users approach the vehicle, BLE automatically establishes a communication connection, and UWB synchronously initiates centimeter-level precise positioning. The dual technology interaction achieves true seamless entry and start—no need to operate the phone or touch the vehicle; users can complete vehicle unlocking and starting without contact, even with the device in their pocket.
Multi-Standard Compatible Certification: Incorporates certification requirements from leading standard-setting organizations such as the NFC Forum, Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), and FiRa Alliance, ensuring credibility, compatibility, and trust in the industry.
The Era of Automotive Digital Key 3.0
The CCC Alliance, as a cross-industry standardization organization, aims to create a sustainable and flexible ecosystem that provides a consistent and excellent user experience for all vehicles and mobile devices through standardized interface technology. It currently has over 200 member companies, including smartphone and automotive manufacturers, with 25% of members from China.
The CCC Alliance board members include representatives from Apple, Xiaomi, BMW, General Motors, Google, Honda, Hyundai, LG, Mercedes-Benz, NXP, Panasonic, Samsung, Volkswagen and other founding member companies.
In 2019, the CCC Alliance listed UWB as the next-generation vehicle security access technology, promoting the large-scale availability of mobile devices.
In 2021, the CCC Alliance released the CCC 3.0 specification, proposing the combination of UWB and BLE wireless technologies to achieve keyless entry and engine start through compatible mobile devices, defining UWB as the core technology of the third generation digital key, marking the official entry of automotive digital key technology into the 3.0 era and announcing the formal start of UWB technology application in vehicles.
Since its launch in 2023, the CCC Digital Key™ certification program has consistently led the industry benchmark for secure interoperable digital key solutions. In 2024, the program completed its first batch of product certifications, with BMW and NXP becoming the first manufacturers to receive this certification, marking a breakthrough in the standardization of vehicle connectivity.
By the end of 2024, CCC and the FiRa Alliance announced the establishment of a joint ultra-wideband MAC physical layer working group to further promote the standardization and scalability of UWB technology.
The addition of BLE and UWB technology certification will further accelerate technological iteration, providing member companies with clear development guidelines and toolchains to help create a new generation of smart key features that meet consumer expectations.
CCC Board Chair John Sergakis emphasized: “Incorporating BLE and UWB into the certification system is a revolutionary leap for the global automotive industry. By establishing universal standards for digital key solutions, we are driving automotive manufacturers and technology suppliers to build seamless, secure, and user-friendly smart interaction experiences—this not only meets the ever-evolving demands of contemporary users but also lays the foundation for the future ecosystem of connected vehicles.”
Accelerating UWB Adoption
With the promotion of CCC-related standards, UWB technology is gradually gaining attention, and the global layout of digital keys is accelerating. Given the enormous market potential and development prospects of UWB, industry players are entering the field.
To date, the industry includes foreign brands such as BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Cadillac, and domestic brands like Xpeng, Great Wall, and BYD, with multiple models already equipped with UWB digital keys.
In the global market, major players in UWB chips include Apple, NXP, Qorvo, and others. Additionally, traditional automotive giants such as STMicroelectronics, Infineon, and Renesas have increased their UWB investments and have made significant progress in recent years.
In the Chinese market, although the UWB chip design field started relatively late, due to favorable market and industrial chain advantages, companies such as Chipone Semiconductor, Jieli Technology, Newray, Hanwei Micro, Unisoc, Osiwei, Jiatelan Micro, and Youzhilian are rapidly emerging.
Notable UWB solution providers in China include Qingyan Xunke, Quanji Technology, Zhifou Ruida, Xinchida, and Shengrun Technology.
Driven by giants like Apple, Samsung, Volkswagen, and BYD, UWB shipments have been steadily increasing, and the market scale is gradually experiencing an explosion. According to the latest statistics from AIoT Star Map Research Institute, the value of China’s four major UWB markets is expected to reach 3.77 billion yuan in 2024, and exceed 20 billion yuan by 2028.
In the automotive & two-wheeler market, the market size is predicted to grow from 600 million yuan in 2024 to 6.9 billion yuan by 2028.
From the development trend, both smartphone manufacturers and automotive OEMs will become the main force in the UWB ecosystem, using UWB technology for vehicle-to-person connectivity, establishing broader ecological applications, and providing users with a safer and more convenient driving experience.
Recently, the AIoT Star Map Research Institute released the 2025 China High-Precision Positioning Technology Industry White Paper, which comprehensively summarizes the latest market information on various positioning technologies such as UWB/Bluetooth CS/Bluetooth AoA/Bluetooth RSSI/Star Flash/5G/audio positioning/geomagnetic, based on research from over 60 leading companies. It is available for free download.
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