BMW Group has chosen NXP Semiconductors’ latest ultra-wideband (UWB) platform for future vehicle programmes, marking the latest step in the automotive industry’s adoption of the wireless technology beyond digital keys into safety and sensing applications.
The German carmaker will deploy NXP’s Trimension NCJ29D6 family, beginning with selected 2026 vehicle programmes. The single-chip solution combines secure ultra-wideband ranging with short-range radar, enabling multiple applications on the same hardware, including hands-free vehicle access and in-cabin presence detection.
BMW’s Digital Key Plus system allows drivers to unlock and lock their vehicles automatically using a compatible smartphone or smartwatch, replacing the traditional key fob. The platform also uses UWB radar technology to detect subtle movements that could indicate a person or animal has been left inside a parked vehicle, enabling the system to alert users.
The announcement highlights the expanding role of ultra-wideband technology in connected vehicles. While UWB has become established for secure, precise positioning in digital key systems, carmakers are increasingly using it as a sensing technology to support safety and convenience features without requiring separate hardware.
NXP said the Trimension NCJ29D6 is the first monolithic automotive UWB solution to combine secure fine-ranging and short-range radar capabilities on a single chip. The company said this approach enables vehicle manufacturers to consolidate multiple functions into one system, reducing complexity while creating a platform for additional applications.
The presence detection capability is designed to support evolving vehicle safety requirements and future New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) protocols in Europe and China. By detecting motion patterns consistent with occupant presence, the system can identify people or animals left in the vehicle after it has been parked and issue a warning to the driver.
“Digital key and presence detection are just the beginning,” said Markus Staeblein, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Secure Car Access at NXP Semiconductors. “OEMs will be able to deliver additional UWB-based features, such as kick sensing, intrusion alert or automatic charging, as they establish the secure hardware platform in their vehicles.”
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