Gizmodo: keyless entry

Your iPhone Is Now Your Car Keys

John Herrman — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:09:18 EDT

Five months ago, someone cobbled together a spoof video about an iPhone app that could remotely unlock and start a car. Oh, how we laughed. Now, take one guess at what Viper SmartStart, an iPhone app announced today, actually does.

The free app connects to a Viper SmartStart hardware module installed in your car, and controls five basic functions: It'll start your car, turn on the heat, unlock your doors or trunk, and manage the car alarm. The range is effectively infinite too, since all communication is carried out over cell networks—no line of sight contact necessary, not that the iPhone has the IR hardware for anything like that anyway.

This is without a doubt one of the coolest apps I've ever seen, but as always, glorious novelty comes at a price: while the app is free, the SmartStart car module costs at least $300, and annual service, after the first complementary year, is $30. [Viper]

Forget the Panic Button: Fireworks Will Help Lead You To Your Car

Andi Wang — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:15:13 EST

If you are one of those people who constantly forget where you've parked your car, the Fireworks Locator System concept—a button on your key—could help grab your attention by triggering a holographic explosion of fireworks above your vehicle. However, the effectiveness of this gadget is questionable as there would be more and more fireworks exploding in parking lots as this device becomes more popular. This, however, would be problematic not only because of how distracting it may be to other drivers, but also because of the difficulty of distinguishing your set of fireworks from another's—unless, of course, your fireworks exploded in the shape of a wang. [Yanko Design]

Sharp Builds Wireless Electronic Car Keys into a Phone, Finally

John Herrman — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:30:00 EDT

In collaboration with Nissan and NTT Docomo, a Japanese mobile operator, Sharp has developed what they claim is the first mobile phone that also functions as a keyless entry and ignition device for cars. Rather than building a new system from the ground up, Sharp has simply opted to include Nissan's existing Intelligent Key technology in a phone. The system will function like any of the many other wireless keyfobs on the market today, authorizing the driver to enter, exit and start his or her car without ever poking any keys around.

Since most popular keyless entry systems depend on radio raves (and have since the early 2000's, when they first rose to prominence) and likely won't be using the phone's includes radio, this pairing is less of a technological integration than a lets-strap-another-piece-of-hardware-on-a-phone. In any case, hackers, the obscenely rich and the Chinese have been doing stuff like this for a while now, so it's about time that this obvious path for convergence was taken. [NTT Docomo]

Chinese Car Maker Invents Keyless Entry Watch

Jason Chen — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EDT

The problem with Chinese made cars in the year 2008 is that they're complete shit. It's true. Maybe in a few years they'll catch up to the Koreans, the Japanese, the Americans and the Germans, but for now they'll have to be satisfied with unlocking their cars with their watches. Who wouldn't?

I'd definitely enjoy carrying around a watch and no keys, until the time I realized that I need my house keys too, which means I'm still carrying around some keys and this whole invention is only cool to show off to your friends from out of town who haven't seen this on the internet. That'll be the only thing to shield you from the derisive comments about you driving a Chinese car in the year 2008. [The Tycho via Jalopnik]

NTT RedTacton Device Turns Your Body Into Swipe Card

Kit Eaton — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:33:52 EST

Japanese telecom company NTT is soon to launch a product that transmits data via your body, effectively turning you into a touch-technology swipe card. RedTacton is a card-like gadget that you simply carry anywhere on your person, and it transmits data via electric fields&mdash a world's first according to NTT.

The data is passed on to other devices as you touch them, even with your clothes or shoes. So you can open an office door keylessly, unlock and start your car, or any of a million other applications currently using swipe-card entry.

It's clearly more convenient than having to fish out a conventional card, and more secure than a wireless device whose signal could be snooped on. NTT even foresees medical applications in the future, since the system could easily and discretely transmit health-sensor data to doctors and nurses as they touch you during exams.

No prices are announced yet, but it will be "a bit pricier" than existing systems. [Sydney Morning Herald]

Researchers Decode Keyless Car Entry, Can Break Into Almost Every Car

Jason Chen — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:20:45 EDT

Because virtually all keyless car entry systems run on an encryption system called KeeLoq, developed in the 1980s, researchers have found a way to break into just about every car out there (provided they have a keyless system). By snooping on the transmissions between the key and the car for about an hour, they can analyze and narrow down the 18 billion possible to enough so that they can unlock a car in minutes.

It's unlikely that anyone besides a sneaky valet or an auto shop will have hold of your keyfob for that long. Still, the fact that pretty much every automaker is using 1980s technology to protect your car is troubling. It won't be long before someone discovers how to get in there without much access to your keyfob at all. [MSNBC via Consumerist via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Locca Access - Keyless Remote for Your Home

www.gizmodo.com — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 07:28:17 EST

Isn't it about time that your house caught up to your car in terms of remote access options? The Locca Access remote key entry allows you to open your house's front door from up to 50 meters away—super convenient for those times when you are laden with shopping bags, when it's dark, when the weather is bad or when you're just too damn lazy to use your complicated keys.

You can even let guests into your house remotely from up to 20 interior meters away, so there's really no need to put on clothes or get up from that sofa to answer the door. The Locca Access works in conjunction with your existing locks, contains a 48 hours battery in case of power failure and comes with a manual key override, so it seems like they've got all your bases covered. Retails for £150. –Dana Bushman

Locca Access [Locca via UberGizmo]

Bluetooth, MP3, KeyFree? Not Your Father's Ford

Charlie White — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 12:20:12 EDT

You don't have to pony up 60 Large for our Gizmodo dream Lexus to indulge yourself in techno-goodness, because now Ford has announced its Connection Series that brings high tech down to earth.

The option-stoked Ford Fiestas and Focuses will have voice-activated control, keyless entry and starting, Bluetooth compatibility and MP3 connections to let you play your tunes through the car's sound system. The company is also adding techno-style trim to give the illusion of something high-tech going on, too.

Pricing for the Fiesta Connection starts at $16,055 and for the Focus Connection will set you back $22,055. – Charlie White

More hi-tech options now Ford affordable [Galway Independent]