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CARS that can be started from the comfort of your living room, keys that allow you to get out and slide the car into that narrow parking space - now Volvo have come up with something even more outstanding, the keyless car.

They have developed a groundbreaking app that delivers a digital key to drivers allowing them to open their cars and drive off using their mobile phones.

For years now mobile phones and car technology have been getting closer and closer.

Now this innovative Bluetooth enabled digital technology opens up a whole new way of accessing cars and sharing them.

The app on the mobiles phone allows drivers to do everything that they would normally do with a physical key. They can lock and unlock doors, open the boot and start the car.

But this new technology also provides a whole host of other ways of using a car.

Drivers would be able to receive more than one digital key on their app so that they could access different cars in different locations.

It could change the car rental world. With the app, customers could book and pay for a hire care anywhere in the world and have the digital key sent immmediately to their phone. On their arrival they would simply have to locate their car, open it and drive away avoiding irritating queues.

Owners could send their digital key to other people so that they can use the car too - whether it is family members or friends paying a visit. It means that a car that normally sits all day in a car park could be put to work,

Henrik Green, vice president of product strategy & vehicle line management at Volvo said: “At Volvo, we are not interested in technology for the sake of technology.

“New technology has to make our customers’ lives easier and save them time. Mobility needs are evolving and so are our customers’ expectation to access cars in an uncomplicated way.

“Our innovative digital key technology has the potential to completely change how a Volvo can be accessed and shared.

“Instead of sitting idle in a parking lot the entire day, cars could be used more often and efficiently by whoever the owner wishes.”

Volvo will pilot the technology in spring 2016 via its car-sharing firm Sunfleet, stationed at Gothenburg airport in Sweden.

Some cars will be equipped with the new digital key technology in 2017.

Martin Rosenqvist, new car director, special products added: “There are obviously many permutations when it comes to how this shared key technology can be used.

“We look forward to seeing how else this technology might be used in the future and we welcome any and all ideas.”

Physical keys will continue to be offered for people who want them.