Fingerprint authorisation for in-car payments

Mercedes Benz customers in Germany can now use their vehicle as a payment device. This is all thanks to Mercedes’ new digital payment service Mercedes pay+.

A fingerprint sensor in the vehicle allows drivers to authenticate payments, using biometric, two-factor authentication instead of a PIN. The first models available with the new facility are the EQS and EQE series, the Mercedes Benz S-Class and C-Class, and the new GLC. To provide an additional layer of security, Mercedes has integrated Visa’s Delegated Authentication and Cloud Token Framework technology to enable in-car payments. 

A seamless way to pay

Mercedes customers can use the infotainment system to subscribe to and pay for digital services, such as connectivity apps, control comfort functions, upgrades to vehicle software, advanced navigation services, and unlock pre-installed hardware (Remote Parking Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, and Rear Axle Steering, and so forth), which can then be paid for via authentication using the fingerprint sensor. 

Franz Reiner, CEO at Mercedes-Benz Mobility, said: “Mercedes-Benz becomes a software-driven company that provides a digital, seamless experience to customers. Therefore, our digital services have to be intuitive, convenient and secure. This is why we have established Mercedes pay+ as a modern and secure payment solution. As such, we are creating a completely new, enhanced customer experience. By introducing native e-commerce into the car, we are once again pioneers and at the beginning of a promising development.”

The German automaker plans to expand in-car payments to other services, such as fuelling but it doesn’t say when. However, this is already possible via the Mercedes me app and smartphone or the infotainment system using a PIN. 

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Image: Mercedes