Car shopping has a whole new meaning as in-car payments gain speed. Now car manufacturers can deliver easy and secure car-based commerce with Visa Token Service, an innovative security technology that removes sensitive account details with a token in order to reduce fraud. Announced at Mobile World Congress this week, Visa is also offering new standards for Bluetooth (BLE) and QR codes that provide developers with additional tools for creating in-car commerce experiences.
Last year, Visa showcased how easy it would be to order food through your connected car. This year, it’s evolving that idea into two proof-of-concept apps that greatly simplify everyday tasks: paying for gas and parking. Both apps take advantage of the Visa Token Service security features and Click to Pay, Visa’s online payment service for simple, one-touch payments. Here’s how they work: When you’re low on gas, the fuel app will navigate you to a nearby gas station and know the exact amount of gas you’ll need while also calculating the cost to fill it up. You can purchase snacks and other items from the convenience store too straight from your connected car.
The parking app, designed in partnership with ParkWhiz, helps ensure that you only pay for the time you used a space. Before you drive away, the car’s dashboard shows the amount due—you simply press a button to complete the transaction.
Honda has integrated both apps into its head unit and will test them in Northern California and New York City this spring. “Working with Honda to test these prototypes gets us another step closer toward commercial reality,” says Jim McCarthy, executive vice president of innovation and strategic partnerships for Visa, “which we think provides exciting opportunities to everyone who plays a role in the payments and automotive ecosystems.”
