Key-less start

[tecwizrd]

Would there be any interest in a key-less starting system based off of a USB thumb drive?

Insert the thumb drive into the port and your truck would start.

Just wondering.

 

[doorgunner]

Question 1. WHAT is a thumbdrive?

" " " 2. How much?

 

[RangerBoy94]

I can actually start my ranger with out the keys. Its weird but it actually happens.

 

[Insanejughead]

Nah, I want my ranger to start with telepathic thought.

Or, upon saying the words, "Start Sesame".

Or, when I need a friend, it responds back to me and comforts me through my every heartache.


Shit... That's an emo person's desire. Okay, scratch that last one.

 

[straycat]

NO!!!!

 

[tecwizrd]

1. Thumbdrives are little storage devices that have taken the place of floppies in the computer world.

2. probably could do this for a couple of hundred dollars or less.

3. Should have expected some of the answers, given I posted this in a redneck forum.

 

[srteach]

The system would have to be encoded, which would require a computer program running all the time to access the coding. The system would have to be plug and play to check the coding on the drive.
If you didn't encode it, any USB (thumb drive) would start your truck. There would literally be a million keys for your truck.

 

[tecwizrd]

@srteach There is a way to do this very thing. It can be setup to only except one particular device, using the serial number associated with the device. I would also encrypt the file system on the thumbdrive or other device. I had in mind an embedded SOC device that would be connected to the ignition, and relays to do the work of the original key.

You could then build a replicator device that would allow you to mass produce the "keys". Plug your key in one port, then a new key in the other port and voila you have a new key. Now doing this would, maybe call for rethinking the serial number tie in. I might be able to devise a way to pull the new serial number into the system and then add that to the key-less start module in the vehicle.


The device could be any USB or RFID device that will allow write to and reading from it. I am of course, not talking about a Windows based solution. I would not trust Windows to keep anything safe.

It all seems so clear cut in my head..... Maybe I should quit drinking.

 

[Mac]

One came with the '03' I bought last year. Nice to have when it's below zero. Once running you can open the door but as soon as you would try to drive it, it would die. You need the proper key to actually start and drive.
Dave of the Nord
http://www.google.com/products/cata...5nNnTsTzBoTCsQK3_tS0Dg&sqi=2&ved=0CFAQ8wIwCA#

 

[exbass94]

I don't see the point in this. If you're using a thumb drive as a key, why not just use a regular key?

 

[tecwizrd]

@exbass94 There is not much of a point, I guess. Just a discussion.

This could be extended to bluetooth. That way when you walk up to your car with the right bluetooth device in your pocket. The doors would unlock and the engine would start. No key needed. No way to steal your car unless towed and only you would be able to drive it.

 

[straycat]

Lets not, and say we didn't...lol

 

[Mac]

Well like I said, I have one in my '03'. Can look out the window and start it, let it warm up, it also locks to doors so someone can't get in. Use the key or fob to open the doors but as soon as you touch the brakes, ignition is cut off, forcing you to use the proper key.
Dave of the Nord

 

[Psychopete]

Having to plug that in would still theoretically be a key. Keyless is wireless. Not sure how you'd control the start, a separate switch, still having to use the steering column ?? If auto-start, how would you know when the engine is running? What if you wanted accessory to listen to the radio or on Run to pull diagnostic codes? What about the door locks that require keys?


Edit: Missed your last post, but now you are completely changing up your idea.. LOL

How in the heck would it be Windows? I code microprocessors in AVR C under Windows, wouldn't make a bit of difference if I cross complied under Linux. An operating system would be complete overkill for a basic chip, but that's not even how it works. The compiler takes your higher level code (like in C for instance) and takes it down to assembly/machine code that's native to the processor, and the microprocessor works off the machine code written onto the EEPROM for instructions on what to do.

 

[hoosier1104]

Python already makes a system similar to your idea. The wireless portion is done via a key fob or app on your smart phone called Smart Start.

http://www.pythoncarsecurity.com/products/product.aspx?ProductID=619