I don't know if you have ever seen the new Renault Laguna. It incorporates a key card which you push into a slot then press a button to start the car. This makes them very difficult to drive away without the card key, as it is purely digital and computerised.

But how about if a car company was to make something which did everything? It's quite within the reaches of modern technology. I name my invention, the Khaki (Car-Key, get it? Oh never mind...).

This special key would unlock the doors whenever you are within a certain proximity of the car, and even open them maybe. While you are in this proximity all it takes to start the car is press a button.

Whenever the Khaki is not nearby the car, the doors lock and the car is immobilised. Easy as pie.

I think this would be very practical and not overly expensive!

Your thoughts...
-- chard, Aug 02 2002

Khaki http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=khaki
Hindi for ‘dirt’ -- IMO a good place to hide a key. [reensure, Aug 03 2002]

This is how my car key works... http://www.integrat.../2001_07/010703.htm
I think you need to read up on the state of the car security art. And maybe tone down your title to "A tiny advance in car security and practicality". [DrCurry, Aug 03 2002, last modified Oct 17 2004]

Fun with Fingerprint Readers (fooling them) http://www.counterp...to-gram-0205.html#5
Well, well, well. I stand corrected, they can be spoofed and easily. [bristolz, Oct 11 2002, last modified Oct 17 2004]

The ultimate in car key security http://news.excite....8%3A28|reuters.html
Hide it in your baby. (Or not, of course.) [DrCurry, Oct 17 2004]

I am against adding a computer to any device that doesn't need it. One more thing to fail. Most of these things already exist in one form or another, auto sliding doors on mini-vans, remote starters for cold climates, remote door locks, and immobilizer anti-theft devices, I'd be surprised if nobody already combined them all.
-- rbl, Aug 02 2002


I can't decide if my home net server should be built into the refrigerator … but the thought of a little doe going to the door water dispenser fountain and putting her lips gently to the stream only to get a grounding shock from the charged motherboards is distracting me. I'll think about the car thing later.
-- reensure, Aug 03 2002


I think you'll find this is largely Baked.

For example, when I get close to my car, I can press a button on my car key to get it to open the car and roll down the windows to where they were before. And you can't start the car without the key (or an advanced degree in boosting).
-- DrCurry, Aug 03 2002


[rbl]: It may be one more thing to fail, but it's also one more challenge, for those of us (ahem..) who like that sort of thing.
-- NickTheGreat, Aug 03 2002


I think you have a great idea, however to me it would initially appear to create even greater security difficulties. Is this khaki a physical device; ie a card or a computer chip? If so, all a car thief would need to do is swipe your wallet and run around a car park until he/she entered close proximity of your car. Then drive off, with few steps in between. [By the way, 'khaki' has always made you think of 'car key' too? I'm also from Australia.:)]
-- Eronel, Aug 03 2002


[Eronel]: I was thinking along the lines of a key or chip etc... I didn't take into account that security worry (the random running), however this would be the only way to steal the car.

However, this is exactly the same as running around the car park with remote locking an pressing the button on the key repeatedly. Except with Khaki this would actually be less obvious, as there would be no flashing or bleeps, as the system I intend would use no user interactivity at all, therefore the user needs no assurance the car is locked etc.

This can work!
-- chard, Aug 03 2002


[chard]: why not add an extra level of security - i.e: some form of 007-style fingerprint scanner - to prevent thieves from opening the car without the proper print? I suppose they could just sever your finger......
-- NickTheGreat, Aug 03 2002


That's going too far Nick...

And to UnaBubba, this is not making the system much more complicated at all if you actually take a moment and think about it.

For instance, on a conventional car, when you turn the key, the car is told to start. How is it more complicated to have a different input? i.e. when the Khaki is detected, it starts the car. It's actually no more complex.

Same as unlocking the car, when you 'blip' the button, the doors are told to unlock. Once again, when the Khaki is detected, the doors unlock. No more complex...
-- chard, Aug 03 2002


I believe the reference was to mechanical reliadependability. For instance, one can put a key in a 100-year-old vehicle throughout it's lifetime - even if only for show by a collector, and good things happen - the door opens whether or not there is a battery. Naturally, it needs a charge to turn the vehicle over - not the vehicle - its elf. Could the same hold true for a device such as this? Card insert has been available for some time - for instance, first one I saw was oh, about 9 years ago. Without it, no go. As for battery-operated/dependent door-opener/closers, remote alarm key-fobs accomplish this porpoise. There are also remote car starters - particularly useful in cold environs where one elf might wish to have car warming up...
-- thumbwax, Aug 03 2002


NTG: the workaround to the severed finger trick is checking for a pulse (even those systems have now been cracked, though, using DIY James Bond fake fingerprint technology).
-- DrCurry, Aug 05 2002


DrCurry, you should take a look at DigitalPersona's biometric/fingerprint stuff.  The single chip device reads the fingerprint as a saline pattern layer beneath the surface of the skin and is virtually impervious to "fake fingerprints" or replay attacks, or the use of severed fingers.

<later>Um, so, once again [bristolz] is w-w-wrong. (3rd link)
-- bristolz, Sep 04 2002


car key / khaki - that a really old bad joke - "I only need to rub my trousers on the door to get in!"
-- aphidman, Sep 04 2002


aphidman - are those corduroys for that pseudo-fingerprint technology?

Just a thought here folks - are we neglecting voice-recognition technology? Let's talk to our cars to make them go. Create a special nickname/password which would grant access to us and only us. Use voice commands to unlock and open doors, start engine, etc. For even greater security, use obscure words for the basic functions, such as "brillig" for unlocking the door and "dipsomania" for turning on the rear window defogger.
-- Canuck, Sep 04 2002


But surely we *all* know how unreliable VR is.....
-- NickTheGreat, Sep 04 2002


For all you fools who wrote off my amazing idea, the 'Khaki' is now available on a new car. Which new car, I can't remember. It was on Top Gear the other night. So although my idea may have been *slightly* halfbaked, it will and does work.
-- chard, Oct 24 2002


Not being big-headed at all, of course, chard.
-- NickTheGreat, Oct 25 2002


Average delirious inane idiot, aka a fool? (You too, chard)
-- blissmiss, Oct 25 2002


Bliss, how could you say such a thing?
-- NickTheGreat, Oct 25 2002



random, halfbakery