CES Las Vegas 2015: NXP Chip Makes Life Tougher For Car Thieves, Hackers

LAS VEGAS -- Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors announced its latest product for smart car access during the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: the NCF29A1 chip. The device combines passive keyless entry (PKE), a radio frequency transmitter for remote control and immobilizer features all into one.

The chip allows for new vehicle key designs, such as a PKE system built into smartphones, smartwatches and other hardware, and it enables manufacturers to create a number of new features for their vehicles such as automatic locking while walking away from a car or a welcome light when the owner approaches. In addition, NXP claims the chip sports longer-range, low-power consumption, with 40 percent longer battery life and a 70 percent smaller form factor over previous chips.

“Smart car access is really the first touch point that drivers have with the car and where the consumer experience really begins,” Drue Freeman, NXP's senior vice president of global automotive sales and marketing, said. “NXP is dedicated to developing leading innovations for passive and remote car management that makes this experience as secure and convenient as possible.”

NXP currently manufactures a number of wireless chip products for the automotive manufacturer market as well as the mobile market, including the near-field communication chip found in Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Its NCF29A1 chip is one of many developments that have emerged during the 2015 CES that aim to change the way drivers interact with their cars via safety features or even full automation (e.g., Mercedes-Benz’s latest concept car).