자동차용 디지털 키(UWB, NearLink, BLE 6.0) 산업 동향(2025년)

Digital key research: which will dominate digital keys, growing UWB, emerging NearLink or promising Bluetooth 6.0?

ResearchInChina has analyzed and predicted the digital key market, communication technology and standard specifications, industry chain and competition landscape, OEM applications and planning, chip vendors and system integrators.

I. The digital key market hits a new high, and the installation rate will exceed 80% in 2030

In 2024, China's passenger car digital key market hit a new high, with the installations growing by 58.7% year-on-year, the market size exceeding RMB3 billion and the installation rate jumping by 15 percentage points year-on-year to 47.5%. Therefore, we raised market expectations in the Automotive Digital Key Industry Trend Report 2025. It is expected that the installation rate of digital keys for Chinese passenger cars will reach 80.8% by 2030.

II. The installation rate of digital keys for emerging brands reaches 89%, and suppliers see a reshuffle

In terms of enterprise type, emerging brands are far ahead. In 2024, the digital key installation rate of emerging brands reached 89.0%, an increase of 8.1 percentage points from 2023. Among the emerging brands surveyed, 60% installed digital keys in 100% of their vehicles.

For emerging brands, digital key system suppliers include YF Tech, Pektron, Gosuncn, UAES, Kostal, etc. The top five suppliers account for 66.7% of the market share together.

With the support of Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) (AITO, LUXEED, Maextro and STELATO) and other emerging popular brands, YF Tech boasted a market share of 27.5% in 2024, ranking first.

Thanks to Tesla, the second-ranked Pektron gained a market share of 17.2%.

Driven by Geely Galaxy, Gosuncn achieved a market share of 8.9%, ranking third.

UAES, prompted by brands such as ZEEKR and Xiaomi, secured a 7.7% share;

Due to some NIO models, Kostal achieved a 5.4% share.

III. UWB, NearLink, and BLE 6.0 will be the three major players in the future

From a technical perspective, digital keys mainly undergo four generations:

Based on NFC technology, the first-generation digital keys realized the function of vehicle entry and start.

The second generation digital key uses BLE technology, which has a longer communication distance than the first generation. At the same time, they can roughly perceive the positional relationship between vehicles and keys through the Bluetooth signal strength.

The third-generation digital keys combine UWB, BLE, and NFC technologies. UWB technology has made a qualitative leap in the position perception accuracy of the third-generation digital keys.

The fourth-generation digital keys are represented by NearLink, which has a positioning accuracy 5 times higher than Bluetooth and a locking accuracy 6 times higher (as per laboratory test data). At the same time, NearLink is dominated by Huawei, making it easier to achieve ecological synergy based on HarmonyOS.

From the perspective of the plans of OEMs and suppliers, digital keys will have three pillars - BLE, UWB, and NearLink in the next few years. Specifically:

Given the performance improvement and cost reduction, the fusion solution of BLE+NFC has outstanding cost-effectiveness and will become the mainstream of the market;

The penetration rate of the BLE solution will remain at around 20%, mainly available in economical models. After the upgrade in the future, BLE 6.0 is expected to extend the application cycle of the BLE solution;

Due to the short communication distance and limited application scenarios, the standalone NFC solution will have limited room for improvement;

With its performance advantages, high-precision positioning and radar, the UWB solution will integrate future digital keys with other functions, such as multiplexing functions like monitoring and kick radar to make the overall cost optimal. However, UWB still has bottlenecks like high system cost and limited mobile phone support.

The NearLink solution will be put into mass production in 2025, and will gradually land on vehicles on a large scale in 2025-2030.

1. Growing UWB

In 2024, UWB keys for passenger cars entered mass production in China, with the installations increasing by 354.6% year-on-year. NIO, Zeekr, Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) , Mercedes-Benz, BMW, etc. are the main UWB carriers, and the top 5 of them accounted for 77.1% of the installations. In the next three years, more OEMs, such as domestic brands (SAIC Passenger Vehicle, SAIC GM, etc.) and joint venture brands (like Audi and Toyota), will carry UWB to upgrade the digital key system. It is expected that the application of UWB in vehicles will continue to grow in the next few years.

In the process of UWB installation, sensor multiplexing has become a highlight. Based on unique characteristics, UWB brings more possibilities for the functional integration of digital keys. On the one hand, UWB can locate occupants and cars with high precision, thereby providing intelligent and personalized services, such as intelligent adjustment of audio and lighting according to the position of the occupants, automated parking according to the position of the cars, and active location-based recommendations.

On the other hand, UWB can act as radar used for in-cabin liveness detection, kicking open the trunk and other functions. The C-NCAP Management Regulations 2024 includes the Child Presence Detection (CPD) as a bonus item, which will become an important functional extension of UWB.

Among foreign suppliers, Continental, Valeo, Hella, etc. have launched system solutions integrating UWB keys and in-cabin monitoring. For example, Hella added the Smart Presence Detection function to the Smart Car Access solution. Continental has embedded CPD into the already existing CoSmA UWB Digital Access Solution, which enables drivers to use their smartphone as a car key for hands-free access. Even the tiniest motion like the movement of a child's chest while breathing can be detected by the sensors. Based on unique respiration rates and micro-body-movements, the CPD with UWB system can classify passengers as infants, children or adults. If children are left behind in the car, the CPD system can send an audible, visual or haptic alert to the driver after ten seconds at the latest.

Among domestic suppliers, YF Tech, TsingCar , UbiTraq and so on have similar solutions. For example, YF Tech's UWB keys already allow functions such as kick sensing for opening trunks and liveness monitoring, and have been mass-produced for Hyper, AITO M9, etc.

The liveness detection function developed by YF Tech for the 2025 AITO M9 reuses the anchor points in the car to offer a liveness detection solution with better performance, safety and reliability. Whether it is the front passenger seat, the back seat or the rear trunk, the system can detect liveness.

At the same time, YF Tech's liveness detection system can provide a series of functional services including early warning, alarm, intervention and care, improving intelligence and humanity.

Early warning: When locking, the system reminds the car owner to pay attention to children left behind through sound and light;

Alarm: Via the mobile phone, it reminds the car owner that there is a child left behind and s/he should return as soon as possible;

Intervention: If the car owner fails to acknowledge the alarm for a long time, the air conditioner will be turned on or the windows will be lowered automatically;

Attention: It can automatically activate lighting, audio, video, entertainment, etc. to care for the child left behind..

The multiplexing of digital key modules can bring more functions while reducing system costs and power consumption. For example, in the sentinel monitoring solution of YF Tech, the UWB node performs pre-monitoring, and the camera can be turned off until an object is found approaching, thereby reducing the overall power consumption. Assuming that the sentinel mode is activated for 10 hours per night and the alarm is triggered during 5% of the time, 2kWh of power can be saved approximately per night.

2. Emerging NearLink

With its unique technical route, the NearLink digital car key can achieve more accurate positioning, more stable unlocking, stronger anti-interference capability and concurrency of more devices, avoiding the embarrassing scenario of "standing by the locked doors" or the "ping-pong problem" (doors repeatedly unlocked and locked) caused by traditional digital key solutions, and greatly improving the convenience, safety and reliability of user experience from getting on the car to controlling the car.

YF Tech is currently the first supplier that has achieved mass production of NearLink digital keys. In November 2024, YF Tech and Shanghai HiSilicon developed the world's first digital car key solution with the NearLink standard. This solution uses one master module inside the vehicle and four slave modules outside the vehicle to realize functions such as active welcome, locking/unlocking without feeling, key sharing, RPA, keyless start, multi-user connection, and OTA updates. In March 2025, the first batch of NearLink digital keys were mass-produced and installed on vehicles.

In the NearLink digital key solution, YF Tech has further improved the security, compatibility, positioning accuracy, multi-scenario intelligent interaction and anti-interference of digital car keys by deploying a high-difficulty architecture that is compatible with both NearLink (SLE) and Bluetooth (BLE) communication protocols on the same chip. So far, YF Tech has been designated by 5 OEMs. In the first three quarters of 2025, 7 models equipped with YF Tech's NearLink digital car key technology will be launched. Overall, NearLink keys are rising and will be installed on a large scale in the next 5 years.

3. Promising Bluetooth 6.0

In September 2024, the Bluetooth Technology Alliance released Bluetooth 6.0 whose biggest highlight lies in a new Bluetooth high-precision positioning technology: Channel Sounding (CS for short). Bluetooth CS combines two different distance measurement methods: Phase-Based Ranging (PBR) + Round-Trip Time (RTT). It is positioned as a safer and more accurate positioning technology than Bluetooth RSSI.

From the test results, Bluetooth CS can cover 100 meters, with the accuracy error within +-50 cm; when the distance is less than 5 meters, the accuracy error can even be theoretically close to 10 cm. With this "centimeter-level" perception capability, Bluetooth CS is expected to be first applied to digital keys, enhancing its "competitiveness" in the digital key system.

Bluetooth 6.0 is expected to be implemented in 2026-2027, and its application in digital keys is promising.

Table of Contents

1 Forecast for Automotive Digital Key Market

• 1.1 Introduction to Digital Keys
• Digital Key System Architecture
• Digital Key System Operation Process
• Digital Key Hardware Architecture
• 1.2 Digital Key Development History
• 1.3 Technology Routes of Digital Keys
• 1.4 Digital Key Application Scenarios
• Digital Key Application Scenarios
• Trends of Digital Key Application Scenarios
• Digital Key Application Scenario Cases
• 1.5 Digital Key Installation Data Analysis (1)
• 1.6 Digital Key Installation Data Analysis (2)
• 1.7 Digital Key Installation Data Analysis (3)
• 1.8 Digital Key Installation Data Analysis (4)
• 1.9 Digital Key Installation Data Analysis (5)
• 1.10 Digital Key Installation Forecast (1)
• 1.11 Digital Key Installation Forecast (2)
• 1.12 Digital Key Installation Forecast (3)
• 1.13 Digital Key Installation Forecast (4)
• 1.14 Two Major Trends of Digital Key Standards and Specifications
• 1.15 Digital Key Standards of CCC
• CCC Standard Evolution
• System Architecture of CCC 3.0
• CCC Digital Key Ecosystem
• CCC Digital Key Certification
• Members of CCC
• 1.16 Digital Key Standards of ICCE
• Evolution of ICCE Digital key Standard Specifications
• Members of ICCE
• 1.17 Digital Key Standards of ICCOA
• Members of ICCOA
• ICCOA Digital Key 2.0
• ICCOA Digital Key 3.0

2 Application Trends of Digital Key Market Segments

• 2.1 BLE-based Digital Keys
• Technical Features of Bluetooth
• Features of Bluetooth 6.0
• Application Trends of Bluetooth in Vehicles
• Application Trends of Bluetooth in Vehicles (1)
• Application Trends of Bluetooth in Vehicles (2)
• Application Trends of Bluetooth in Vehicles (3)
• Application Trends of Bluetooth in Vehicles (4)
• BLE Digital Key System Solutions
• Installation Features of Bluetooth Keys (1)
• Installation Features of Bluetooth Keys (2)
• Installation Features of Bluetooth Keys (3)
• Installation Features of Bluetooth Keys (4)
• 2.2 UWB-based Digital Keys
• Technical Features of UWB
• Technical Features of UWB (1)
• Technical Features of UWB (2)
• Application Trends of UWB in Vehicles
• Application Trends of UWB in Vehicles (1)
• Application Trends of UWB in Vehicles (2)
• Application Trends of UWB in Vehicles (6)
• Installation Features of UWB Keys (1)
• Installation Features of UWB Keys (2)
• Digital Key Launch Timetable of Major OEMs
• UWB Key Installation Timetable of Mobile Phone Vendors
• Cases of Cooperation between UWB Mobile Phones and OEMs
• UWB-based Digital Key Solutions of OEMs
• Development Trends of UWB Keys (1)
• Development Trends of UWB Keys (5)
• 2.3 NFC-based Digital Keys
• Technical Features of NFC (1)
• Technical Features of NFC (2)
• Application Trends of NFC in Vehicles
• NFC Key Installation Data Analysis (1)
• NFC Key Installation Data Analysis (2)
• 2.4 NearLink-based Digital Keys
• Applications of NearLink in Digital Keys
• NearLink Communication Interfaces
• NearLink Industry Chain
• NearLink Alliance
• NearLink Standards and Specifications
• NearLink Application Scenarios
• Commercial Application of NearLink
• NearLink Market Size
• Digital Key Solutions Based on NearLink
• Features of NearLink Digital Keys
• NearLink Digital Key Architecture
• NearLink Digital Car Key SIG

3 Digital Key Industry Chain and Competitive Landscape

• 3.1 Digital Key Industry Chain
• 3.2 Digital Key Cost Composition and Demand
• NFC Key Cost Structure
• BLE Key Cost Structure
• NFC+BLE Key Cost Structure
• BLE+NFC+UWB Key Cost Structure
• Digital Key Cost Trend
• Market Demand for Key Components of Digital Keys
• 3.3 Competitive Landscape of Key Digital Key Components
• Competitive Landscape of Digital Key System Integrators
• Summary of Digital Key System Integrators - Foreign Companies
• Summary of Digital Key System Integrators - Domestic Companies
• Competitive Landscape of Digital Key Software Suppliers
• Digital Key Software Providers
• Competitive Landscape of BLE Chip Suppliers
• Comparison between BLE Chip Suppliers (1)
• Comparison between BLE Chip Suppliers (2)
• UWB Chip Competitive Landscape
• Trends of UWB Chip Competitive Landscape
• NFC Chip Competitive Landscape
• 3.4 Integration Trends of Software and Hardware of Digital Key Suppliers
• 3.5 Overseas Layout and Cooperation of Digital Key OEMs and Suppliers
• 3.6 Digital Key Experience Improvement Strategy
• Digital Key Problems
• Digital Key Demand
• Digital Key Improvement Strategy (1)
• Digital Key Improvement Strategy (5)
• Key Technologies of Digital Key Improvement Strategy
• 3.7 Digital Key Multi-protocol Fusion Strategy
• 3.8 Digital Key Cost Reduction Solutions
• Cost Reduction Solution (1)
• Cost Reduction Solution (2)
• Cost Reduction Solution (3)
• 3.9 CPD Demand Drives UWB into Vehicles
• CPD Demand Drives UWB into Vehicles
• Summary of UWB-based CPD Cases
• Case (1)
• Case (2)
• Case (3)
• Case (4)
• Case (5)
• 3.10 Integration of Digital Keys and Biological Keys
• Biological Route 1: Gesture Recognition
• Case of Using Gesture Recognition to Open Doors (1)
• Case of Using Gesture Recognition to Open Doors (2)
• Case of Using Gesture Recognition to Open Doors (3)
• Case of Using Gesture Recognition to Open Doors (4)
• Biological Route 2: Face Recognition
• Case of Using Face Recognition to Open Doors (1)
• Case of Using Face Recognition to Open Doors (5)
• Route 3: Voice
• Case of Using Voice to Open Doors
• OEMs Using Voice to Open Doors
• Route 4: Fingerprint/Palmprint
• Case of Using Fingerprint/Palmprint to Open Doors (1)
• Case of Using Fingerprint/Palmprint to Open Doors (2)
• Route 5: Myoelectric Recognition
• 3.11 Impact of Phone-IVI Interconnection on Digital Keys
• Application Scenarios
• Status Quo
• Main Phone-IVI Interconnection Products
• Summary of Phone-IVI Interconnection Applied by OEMs
• Integration Solution of Phone-IVI Interconnection and Digital Keys (1)
• Integration Solution of Phone-IVI Interconnection and Digital Keys (5)

4 Digital Key Layout of OEMs

• 4.1 BYD
• Digital Key Development History
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• Digital Key Solution (3)
• Digital Key Solution (4)
• Structure of Denza's Digital Key System
• 4.2 Changan
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• Digital Key Patents
• 4.3 Geely
• Geely's Digital Key Installations and Installation Rate
• Geely's Digital Key Solution
• Lynk & Co's Digital Key Solution
• Lynk & Co's Digital Key Features
• 4.4 Tesla
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• Digital Key Solution (3)
• 4.5 Li Auto
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Solution
• 4.6 NIO
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• Digital Key Solution (3)
• 4.7 Xpeng
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• Digital Key Solution (3)
• 4.8 Hyundai
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Development History
• Digital Key Solution
• 4.9 BMW
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Introduction to and Development History of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Solution
• How to Use Digital Keys
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• Digital Key Solution (3)
• 4.10 SAIC
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Iteration
• Digital Key Solution
• Features of Digital Key Solution
• 4.11 ZEEKR
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Architecture
• Door Opening by Face Recognition
• 4.12 SAIC-GM
• Installations and Installation Rate of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Iteration
• Digital Key Layout
• Digital Key Architecture
• Digital Key Protocol
• Digital Key Application Scenarios
• Digital Key Planning

5 Typical Solutions of Digital Key Chip Suppliers

• 5.1 NXP
• Profile
• Access Control System Architecture and Products
• Bluetooth MCU
• Automotive-grade UWB Chip
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• Digital Key Solution (3)
• Digital Key Solution (4)
• 5.2 ST
• Profile
• Digital Key Products
• Digital Key Solutions
• Digital Key Partners
• 5.3 TI
• Profile
• Digital Key Products
• Digital Key System
• 5.4 Telink
• Profile
• Main Products and Applications
• Latest Products
• 5.5 Apple
• Digital Key Chip
• Digital Key Solution
• Digital Key Authentication System
• Digital Key Partners
• 5.6 QORVO
• 5.7 Qualcomm

6 Foreign Digital Key System Suppliers

• 6.1 Pektron
• Profile
• Digital Key Products
• 6.2 G+D Mobile Security
• Profile
• Major Digital Key Customers
• 6.3 Alps Alpine
• Profile
• Digital Key System (1)
• Digital Key System (2)
• Digital Key Cooperation
• 6.4 Marquardt
• Profile
• PEPS
• Digital Keys
• 6.5 Irdeto
• Profile
• Digital Key Solution
• Chinese Digital Key Customers
• 6.6 Bosch
• Profile
• Digital Keys (1)
• Digital Keys (2)
• 6.7 Valeo
• Profile
• Development History of Digital Key Solutions
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• 6.8 Continental
• Profile
• Digital Key Development History
• UWB Digital Key
• 6.9 FORVIA
• Profile
• UWB Keys
• 6.10 KOSTAL
• Profile
• UWB Digital Key System
• Mass Production of UWB Digital Keys
• 6.11 Denso
• Profile
• Digital key
• 6.12 Huf Group
• Introduction
• Mobile Phone Digital Key System
• Mobile Phone Key Services and Technologies
• Communication Technology of Mobile Phone Key System
• 6.13 TOKAI RIKA
• Profile
• Dynamics of Digital Key Business
• Digital Key Solution
• Digital Key System (1)
• Digital Key System (2)
• Digital Key Sensor Multiplexing

7 Domestic Digital Key System Suppliers

• 7.1 INGEEK
• Profile
• Main Functions of Digital Keys
• Iteration of Digital Keys
• Intelligent Connected System (ICS)
• Digital Key Cloud
• Digital Key Application Scenarios
• Digital Key Partners
• 7.2 YF Tech
• Profile
• R&D Investment
• Certification System
• Smart Entry System
• The Industry's First and Only NearLink Digital Key Tier 1 Supplier
• Digital Key System Framework
• Digital key security mechanism
• Digital Key Application Scenarios
• Scalable Applications of Digital Keys (1)
• Scalable Applications of Digital Keys (2)
• Scalable Applications of Digital Keys (3)
• Scalable Applications of Digital Keys (4)
• Advantages in Digital Key Cooperation
• Customers & Ecological Partners
• 7.3 UBITRAQ
• Profile
• UWB-based Automotive Products
• UWB Digital Keys
• Core Technology
• Main Products
• Scalable Applications of UWB
• Liveness Detection Solution
• Kick Radar Solution
• 7.4 ADAYO
• Profile
• Technical Innovation in Digital Keys
• Digital Key Development Path
• 7.5 Jingwei Hirain
• Profile
• Automotive Electronics
• Body Domain Controllers and PEPS Products
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• Automated Digital Key Testing
• 7.6 PATEO
• Profile
• Digital Key Business
• 7.7 TsingCar
• Profile
• UWB Digital Key Solution
• UWB Application Scenarios
• 7.8 Xi'an LINKSCI
• Profile
• Development History
• Digital Key Business
• Digital Key Integration Solution
• Business Model
• Digital Key Products
• 7.9 UAES
• Profile
• Digital Key Products
• Features of Digital Keys
• Digital Key Sensor Multiplexing
• 7.10 Fuyao
• Profile
• Digital Key Solution (1)
• Digital Key Solution (2)
• Digital Key Solution (3)
• Digital Key Solution (4)
• Advantages of Digital Key Solutions
• Digital Key Anchor Point Layout
• Digital Key Application Case (1)
• Digital Key Application Case (2)
• 7.11 Sirun's Digital Key Solution
• 7.12 SNOWBALL's Digital Key Solution
• 7.13 RF-star's Digital Key Solution