CarKit
HomeKit helped make the smart home a reality, especially for users invested in the Apple ecosystem. But the car is still a separate story. CarPlay helps bring some functionality of your iOS device to your vehicle, but it falls short of integrating your car’s features with iOS.
While most automakers offer apps, most of them aren’t very good. By adding a CarKit API, car makers would be able to give you more control of your vehicles. Apple could offer a Car app that keeps all of that control in one place.
Remote Control
Being able to start your car, unlock or lock its doors, sound the alarm, and more are all great and available in many automakers’ apps. Being able to ask Siri, create automations, and more, would be even better. “Hey Siri, start my F-150” or “Hey Siri, unlock the Mercedes” could be phrases we all use in the future.
Status Report
Checking vehicle charge levels, fuel levels, warnings, tire pressure, and more. Being able to do this for every vehicle in one app—regardless of make or model—would be awesome. You could even receive notifications when something is wrong.
Again, many app makers already do this, but integrating to iOS would make for a better experience, and add functionality like Siri and Shortcuts.
Geolocation
Using your car’s GPS, CarKit could let you find your vehicle, be notified if it’s moved while in valet-mode, create boundaries for teenagers, and trigger HomeKit automations based on location.