Stellantis Granted Patent for Biometric Vehicle Entry System

Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) has just been granted a groundbreaking patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on July 1, 2025, for a “system and method for accessing a vehicle with a biometric key.” Originally filed back in March 2023, this patent aims to change how drivers get into their vehicles—especially in situations where their key fob, smartphone, or other typical access devices are unavailable.

This isn’t just a futuristic idea anymore—it’s a fully patented solution that could make its way to production in the near future. In fact, Stellantis gave us an early look at similar tech in the Chrysler Halcyon Concept last year, but now it’s official.

What Is a Biometric Vehicle Key? – 

In simple terms, this technology allows you to unlock your car using facial recognition. No key, no phone—just your face.

Here’s how it works:

• The system uses a vehicle-mounted camera (like the backup camera or one in the mirror) to capture an image of whoever is trying to unlock the car.

• The door handle acts as the activation point. If the person lifts the handle in a specific sequence—think three lifts, a pause, four lifts, another pause, then two more lifts—the system wakes up.

• Once activated, the camera takes a picture of the person’s face and sends it to a controller, which compares it to stored images of preauthorized users.

• If the face matches, the vehicle unlocks. If not, it stays locked.

There’s even an audible chime to let you know the system is active and ready to scan.

Why It Matters – 

This system could be a lifesaver in emergency situations—say you lose your keys or your phone is dead. Instead of being stuck, you just perform the access sequence and let the system recognize your face. It’s especially useful for families, too. Different users (like a spouse or teen driver) can be preauthorized by the vehicle owner.

And because it’s only activated by that specific door handle sequence, it draws very little power when the car is off—meaning it won’t drain the battery like always-on sensors can.

Behind the Scenes – 

This tech doesn’t just rely on in-car components. It can wirelessly connect to a secure Stellantis-owned server, allowing facial images to be verified using cloud-based computing. That means more secure storage and potentially faster image comparison. The system is also modular—it can work with existing hardware like the vehicle’s advanced driver-assist cameras and standard door handles, keeping costs down for automakers and consumers alike.

Could We See It Soon? – 

Stellantis hasn’t officially said when or where this system might appear, but given its presence in the Halcyon Concept and this new patent approval, it’s likely in development for future Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, or Ram vehicles. This kind of forward-thinking tech could easily fit into Stellantis’ goals for advanced, user-friendly, and secure vehicles.

Whether you’re locked out at the mall or letting your teen borrow the family SUV, this patent sets the stage for smarter, safer vehicle access—all without ever taking a key out of your pocket.