On the flip side, there are considerations:

• Privacy: Storing biometric data in the car raises questions. Automakers assure these are stored securely (often locally in the vehicle, not uploaded to cloud). For instance, Hyundai said they use encrypted fingerprint data and secure updates[124][113]. Genesis likely does similar for face data. Nonetheless, some people might be uneasy with their car holding a copy of their fingerprint or face map. Manufacturers need to follow strong privacy standards to ensure that data never leaks and is only used for intended purposes.

• Reliability: Electronics can fail or struggle in certain conditions. What if the fingerprint reader won’t recognize you because your finger is wet or dirty? (Smartphones have this issue). Or the camera lens is obscured by mud or snow, preventing face recognition? Good systems have backups: a keypad or you can use the phone app to send an unlock command, etc. Genesis GV60 has a physical keycard backup just in case too. Still, reliance on biometrics means you must plan for occasional hiccups (like you do for forgetting a password – you have account recovery steps).

• Security Risks: While a thief can’t “steal your face,” biometric systems could be targeted by sophisticated means. Researchers have shown it’s sometimes possible to spoof fingerprints using high-res photos or lifted prints, or to fool facial recognition with special glasses or images, though the automotive-grade systems try to detect that. There’s also the question: if someone really wants your car, they could coerce you (the owner) to unlock it via your biometrics – although that’s not any different than being coerced to hand over keys or fob. One upside is that digital systems can have more nuance: for example, a car could potentially detect a “duress fingerprint” (one finger designated to silently alert police if forced to unlock) – though I don’t know of any car implementing that yet.

• Technical Lock-Out: There’s a slight fear: what if the tech glitches and you’re locked out? At least with a physical key, you have a mechanical override. Many keyless cars do hide a mechanical keyhole for emergencies (often on the driver door handle, under a cap). Likely, even as we go biometric, manufacturers will retain some emergency method, at least for a while. But if we truly go no-keyhole, no-fob, then you are 100% at the mercy of the electronics. Regular maintenance of those systems (software updates, etc.) would be important.

Despite those concerns, the trajectory seems to be moving forward. A future scenario: you approach your car, it recognizes your face and greets you by name, you get in and it reads your fingerprint on the wheel to enable driving, and off you go. No keys, no buttons. If you lend the car to someone, you temporarily add their face/fingerprint via an app or send them a digital key. The car might even use in-cabin face recognition to customize who’s driving, as some are planning for autonomous handover (car knows it’s Bob driving now, and adjusts seat for him).

In terms of adoption, Genesis/Hyundai group is leading with GV60, Grandeur, etc., Tesla uses phone keys extensively, BMW/Mercedes have phone key, and suppliers like Bosch are developing interior face recognition for future cars. Even the rental company Hertz is reportedly testing biometrics for rental car access to speed up rentals.

So, are car keys truly ending? We’re in a transitional phase: many new cars still come with a key fob, but some allow entirely fob-less operation if you choose. It’s likely in the next 5-10 years, more models will offer biometric entry as an option or standard, and key fobs will become “backup” devices or be integrated into smartphones.

For consumers, it will be important to adapt to and trust these new systems. Much like how smartphone users got used to using thumbprints or Face ID instead of passcodes, drivers will get used to looking at a camera or pressing a finger to drive their vehicle. And just as phones still allow a passcode fallback, cars will too (like entering a PIN via the infotainment or smartphone app if biometrics fail).

In conclusion, we may not completely rid ourselves of physical backup keys just yet, but the everyday use of them is dwindling. The metal key gave way to the wireless fob, and now the fob is giving way to digital and biometric access. It’s quite possible that children born today will grow up never really needing to carry a car key – their face or phone will do the job. That will indeed mark the symbolic “end” of car keys as we’ve known them. It’s a shift toward ultimate convenience, hopefully paired with strong security to keep our vehicles safe in the new keyless era.

This is the end of this article.

AI and Voice Assistants in Cars: Your Driving Companion

“Hey car, I’m cold.” – “I’ve increased the temperature for you.” This kind of interaction is no longer science fiction. AI-powered voice assistants in cars have become the virtual co-pilots of modern driving, ready to follow your voice commands or even proactively help you. From asking for directions or dictating a text, to your car itself suggesting a coffee break when you seem tired, AI and voice assistants are transforming the driving experience. In this article, we’ll explore how these smart companions work, what they can do, and how they make driving safer and more enjoyable.