Enhanced Key Fobs - The Driver Interface Outside the Vehicle

Suppliers use smartphone applications and developments in display and battery technology to secure a promising future for enhanced key fobs... Over the past few years, vehicle manufacturers have introduced key fobs that do more than just lock and unlock the vehicle. With the advent of smart key and complex authentication technologies, communication between the key fob and the car has evolved into two-way transmissions. However, adoption of more complex functions on production vehicle has been very limited due to reluctance from vehicle manufacturers concerned about poor battery life and display functionality. SBD’s latest research report entitled, Enhanced Key Fobs - The Driver Interface Outside the Vehicle investigates present and future technological developments as well as including specific sections dedicated to supplier concepts and vehicle manufacturers’ products. This report will help you: Improve customer experience of key fob usage by understanding the technology available Understand the importance of offering enhanced key fobs and what consumers want from the technology Recognise the barriers to product adoption and how to overcome them Learn competitive features and functionality to develop future product strategy The purpose of this report is to explain the technologies involved in enhanced key fobs and to reveal the latest developments. The report also addresses the barriers preventing the technology from progressing and how some suppliers are showing methods to overcome them. The convenience of remote keyless entry is now almost ubiquitous and most drivers expect to be able to operate the locking functions, alarm system and often the power windows or exterior lighting of their vehicle via their RF key fob. The availability of vehicle data on internal networks and better communications technology that allows data to be transmitted from the car has enabled the potential for the humble key fob to become an enhanced user interface. Drivers could be checking the status of their fuel, tyre pressure, cabin temperature and sending simple operating commands to run the air conditioning, pre-program the navigation system and start the engine. All of these commands and other information has been demonstrated by the leading suppliers and the first steps towards enhanced key fob production have already been made by a number of vehicle manufacturers. The main barrier towards significant change is the trade-off between battery life and the power requirements of improved displays and communications. The fundamental keyless entry functions must not be affected by drivers using enhanced features and drivers would not accept constant recharging for a device that they are accustomed to using continuously. Existing devices prove that getting data to the key fob is not an issue, but allowing the driver to view it or use it causes concerns. Suppliers are therefore looking at innovations such as low power displays, dual power supplies or acting only as a gateway module and utilising smartphone applications for display and control. SBD predict that based on the latest advances, drivers will be enjoying significantly enhanced key fob functionality on their vehicle within the next 5 years. This report looks at the latest vehicle developments from Audi, BMW, GM, VW and Volvo as well as the latest prototype products from Continental, Delphi, Hella, Marquardt and Valeo. It explains the technologies under consideration and the types of functionality that can be expected.

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About the report author...

Chris Vargyas - Senior Security and Cost of Ownership Specialist Chris graduated from the University of Leicester with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is an expert in vehicle security legislation and European insurance requirements. As a senior member of SBD’s Security and Cost of Ownership department, Chris is responsible for advising a number of major vehicle manufacturers on their insurance approval processes and vehicle security strategies.