You can make it now pay with your phone, and soon you’ll be able to do the same with your Mercedes-Benz, using just a fingerprint for authentication.
Mercedes already has its own Mercedes Pay system that allows users to buy goods or services from the car, but now the automaker has partnered with Visa to make the process easier and more widely available through the new Mercedes Pay+ service. Instead of entering a pin or using your phone, all you need is a fingerprint scan for authentication. Payment is then made through Visa’s new Cloud Token Framework.
The Cloud Token Framework is basically an online payment system where stored credentials are provided by unique digital tokens that encrypt sensitive payment information before it is stored. This greatly facilitates payment, for example when using a new service, as you no longer need to enter long card numbers or complex passwords to complete the purchase. It also allows multiple devices to be paired with the car, allowing more than one user to pay with a fingerprint scan.
Mercedes Pay+ will initially be introduced in Europe, starting in March in Mercedes’ home market, Germany. Availability in other markets has not been announced.
Models with fingerprint sensors include the EQS and EQE electric vehicles, as well as the S-Class, GLC-Class and C-Class.
Currently, you can use Mercedes Pay+ to pay for various digital services, such as enhanced navigation functions or remote connectivity, and on-demand vehicle hardware updates like steering the rear axle with a larger steering angle. Eventually, the payments will be extended to other car-related services, such as fuel, Mercedes said.
This article was originally published by Motor Authorityeditorial partner ClassicCars.com.
