Toyota Partners with Getaround to Launch Innovative Keyless Car-Sharing Pilot 🚗

SAN FRANCISCO — Toyota will test its new Smart Key Box technology in vehicles used by car-sharing service Getaround in San Francisco at the beginning of next year. <br /> <br />A Smart Key Box is placed inside vehicles in the car-sharing program. The person who wants to borrow the car receives a code via an app on a smartphone. <br /> <br />When the smartphone is brought near the vehicle, the pre-sent code is authenticated via Bluetooth. The user is then given access to the car and its push-button ignition. The code is only valid during the vehicle reservation period. <br /> <br />Toyota has invested $10 million in Getaround, a San Francisco-based startup, Reuters reported. <br /> <br />Car owners can register their cars on Getaround free of charge and receive a portion of the rental fee when other people choose to rent their vehicles. The service has around 300,000 users in the U.S., USA Today reported.