Jaguar Land Rover trialling a crypto ‘Smart Wallet’

Jaguar Land Rover has announced a new 'Smart Wallet' allowing drivers to earn money by reporting traffic obstructions is being tested.

Using the Smart Wallet, drivers are able to link a cryptocurrency account to their car. When they encounter hazards like potholes, traffic jams or breakdowns, the company says correctly-equipped cars will be able to automatically report them to the relevant local authorities, or third-party 'navigation providers'.

When the car reports an issue, it says the driver will get a cryptocurrency payment as reward.

Once it's in your 'Smart Wallet', the money could automatically be used to pay for tolls, parking or charging in electric vehicles. Jaguar also suggests it could be used to buy coffee, although exactly how isn't clear.

At the moment, the technology is being trialled on a Jaguar F-Pace and Range Rover Velar at the JLR Software Engineering Base in Ireland.

"The connected car technologies we are developing will be transformative and truly turn your Jaguar or Land Rover into a third space, in addition to your home or office," said Russell Vickers, JLR software architect.

"In the future an autonomous car could drive itself to a charging station, recharge and pay, while its owner could choose to participate in the sharing economy - earning rewards from sharing useful data such as warning other cars of traffic jams."

The trial is part of a partnership with the IOTA Foundation, dedicated to developing secure payment systems with cryptocurrency.

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