First designed by Renault 20 years ago, the hands-free key card is one of Renault’s leading innovations that will leave its mark on the history of automotive vehicles.

"This innovative solution was designed to make life easier for customers" says Pascaline, Head of Cross-Cutting Products at the Renault Group Products Division.

It all started in 2001. Renault was set to launch the Laguna II, a saloon that was said to embody the ‘lifestyle’ car of 21st century. However, designers felt that the vehicle was still lacking a few innovative features.

Bernard Dumondel, the Laguna II product lead, was staying in a hotel in Luxembourg. He goes to use his room key – a magnetic card – and has an epiphany: why not use a contactless card instead of the traditional car key?

The idea behind the hands-free card was born. He presents a prototype of his idea to his program manager and impresses the Group’s Executive Committee (including Louis Schweitzer himself, the CEO of Renault during this time). The project is immediately adopted.

Following the 1973 R16 TX – the first French car to have electronic central locking – and the 1982 Fuego with its ground-breaking remote-controlled door locks, Laguna II became the first car made by a general-purpose car manufacturer to feature a hands-free card. The initial design was known as a ‘keyless entry’. Over the following years, Renault improved the accessory by including it on Espace and Vel Satis models. It then helped popularise the design by extending it across its entire range, from Clio, to Scenic, and on to Mégane.

On the latest generation of hands-free cards, the car is unlocked when the badge is approached and locked automatically when it is moved away.