Introducing LG Innotek's Next-Generation 'Digital Key Solution'
Unrivaled 3D Positioning Technology... Targeting 1.5 Trillion Won in Sales
Diverse Additional Features Enabled by Proprietary Radar Technology
LG Innotek has announced its goal to lead the market with its 'Next-Generation Digital Key Solution,' which features unrivaled technological capabilities. This solution is expected to become a new weapon for LG Innotek as it shifts its business portfolio from traditional optical solutions to the automotive and mobility components sector. The company is determined to achieve annual sales of 1.5 trillion won in the digital key market, which now goes beyond simple 'keys' to offer a variety of additional features.
LG Innotek employees are demonstrating the child presence detection (CPD) feature of the next-generation digital key solution. LG Innotek
On the 15th, LG Innotek held a technology briefing at LG Science Park in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where it unveiled its strategy for the next-generation digital key solution. The core focus of LG Innotek's automotive components business is vehicle connectivity, with the digital key solution as its flagship product. Using wireless communication technology, the solution enables a range of functions such as vehicle locking and unlocking and engine start through a smartphone connected to the vehicle.
LG Innotek expects the market size for automotive digital keys to grow more than fivefold, from 600 billion won this year to 3.3 trillion won by 2030. Having quickly identified this market trend, the company began developing digital key modules in 2017 and introduced its automotive digital key module in 2019. With the development of its next-generation digital key solution last year, LG Innotek is aiming to achieve annual sales of 1.5 trillion won in this sector.
Byungguk Yoo, Executive Vice President and Head of the Automotive Components Division at LG Innotek, stated, "We will accelerate our market penetration with this innovative component that incorporates our unique wireless communication technology, aiming to become the global number one by 2030."
Byungguk Yoo, Executive Vice President and Head of the Automotive Components Division at LG Innotek, is introducing the business strategy at a technology briefing held on the 15th at LG Science Park in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. LG Innotek
LG Innotek's next-generation digital key solution demonstrated 'limitless possibilities.' In addition to guaranteeing safety and convenience, it offers a wide range of additional features that allow the 'key' to be used in more ways than ever before.
During the demonstration, as a person walked toward the test vehicle with a digital key-equipped smartphone in their pocket, the digital key was activated from about five meters away. A monitor installed next to the vehicle displayed a "Welcome" greeting for the user. Sungjun Bae, Head of the Convenience Control Communication Software Development Team at LG Innotek, explained, "Depending on customer needs, various welcome functions such as lighting and side mirror adjustment can be implemented."
Once the digital key was activated, there was no need to open or close the car doors manually. Approaching the front of the vehicle automatically opened the front door, while moving to the rear opened the back door. Even when carrying bags or groceries, simply passing a foot under the 'kick sensor' beneath the trunk caused it to open automatically.
The core of this convenience is LG Innotek's technological prowess. Bae emphasized, "While technology to measure the physical distance between the user and the vehicle is already applied in existing products, the situation changes when the smartphone is in a pocket or bag. LG Innotek's solution overcomes this challenge."
The first-generation digital keys in the past were based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). However, this technology was vulnerable to 'car hacking' attacks, which became a controversial issue in regions such as the United States and Europe. LG Innotek addressed these security risks by combining ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communication technology, which utilizes wide bandwidth frequencies.
LG Innotek also applied its high-precision three-dimensional (3D) positioning algorithm technology. If a smartphone equipped with a digital key moves slightly near the car window, the engine start function could be activated even if the key is outside the vehicle. LG Innotek's technology reduces the detection error margin to 10 centimeters, boasting the industry's highest level of 'location accuracy.' In practice, even when the smartphone was placed next to the front windshield or the side of the vehicle chassis, there was no malfunction, and as soon as it crossed the boundary of the window, the location was immediately recognized.
Hyunggi Nam, Head of the Connectivity Development Office at LG Innotek, emphasized, "We have applied a high-precision 3D positioning algorithm, developed in-house using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, to our digital key solution. With accuracy improved by more than 30%, we have eliminated situations where the wrong door opens or the digital key fails to activate due to positioning errors."
At the LG Innotek next-generation digital key solution technology briefing held at LG Science Park in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Hongpil Kim, Executive Director of Connectivity Business, Hyungeun Kim, Head of Automotive Marketing, and Hyunggi Nam, Head of Connectivity Development Office, are answering questions. LG Innotek
LG Innotek plans to provide a variety of additional features by equipping its solution with a self-developed radar.
The child presence detection (CPD) feature, which is highly valued in countries such as the United States and Europe, is a prime example. The radar detects the unique movements and breathing of a child, not an adult, and sends a notification to the driver's smartphone within 10 seconds. While conventional devices often misidentify bags or luggage with a weight similar to a child's, LG Innotek's digital key uses radar to detect even subtle breathing, resulting in extremely high accuracy.
In the future, functions such as providing precise location information for wireless charging of electric vehicles using 3D positioning technology and radar are expected to be added. With just one 'key,' users will be able to integrate a range of convenience features, including vehicle locking and unlocking, engine start, parking assistance, child protection, key sharing, and even intrusion prevention.
Another strength of LG Innotek's next-generation digital key solution is its compact size, which is smaller than a business card and among the smallest in the industry. Despite its small size, it incorporates wireless communication technologies such as BLE and UWB, as well as more than 60 components and modules. In particular, it is compatible with the latest global standards, ensuring interoperability regardless of country, terrain, or vehicle type.
Hongpil Kim, Executive Director of Connectivity Business at LG Innotek, said, "Last year, we secured orders for our digital key solution to be installed in 14 vehicle models both domestically and internationally. We will solidify our position as a leading company in the market."
Byungguk Yoo, Executive Vice President and Head of the Automotive Components Division at LG Innotek, added, "We are in discussions about new business opportunities not only with domestic companies but also with European automakers. We aim to become the best in the world in the digital key market."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
