4 Dirty Little Details About The Smart Car Key Industry

Smart Keys For Cars

A smart key is a wireless car remote that operates without the traditional mechanical blade. It can open doors or open the trunk from a distance. It is also able to start the car without turning a key.

Most smart forfour key keys come with indicators for the battery which alert you to low battery levels in advance. It's simple to replace the battery with no special tools.

Convenience

Smart keys can unlock doors or trunks, and also turn on the engine of the car without the driver needing to use a metal key. They also come with features designed to deter burglaries and vehicle theft, such as a panic button that produces a sound to frighten away people who may be suspicious of thieves in areas that are isolated like underground parking garages.

Key fobs accomplish all of these functions by sending a radio signal between the car and the key fob using wireless technology that is low-power. This is a great feature for drivers who are on the move and don't have a lot of time.

Smart keys generally look more like plastic cards than actual keys. They can be used to open the trunk or doors when the button is pressed on the fob. Some smart keys feature a touchscreen that lets drivers to control their car's settings, including the climate and audio.

The RFID signal sent between a key fob and the car is unique, secure and connected to the computer onboard, making it almost impossible for hackers with the latest technology to hotwire a stolen vehicle equipped with one. They can also be programmed to transmit a different frequency signal each time they're used so that the computer doesn't recognize the old one as the true signal.

Security

Many people are hesitant adopt digital keys because they are worried about security. While having a tangible key fob on hand may feel safer, it's important to realize that digital keys are more secure than you might think. They're encrypted and the signal they transmit to a vehicle is verified by a specific computer onboard. This means that even if your smart key fob is stolen, the car will never start.

In contrast to traditional key fobs smart keys work by using built-in antennas inside your vehicle and an electronic radio-frequency generator inside the key fob to communicate with your vehicle, and perform standard functions like unlocking or opening it. This system allows you to access your vehicle without the need to insert an actual key into the lock or ignition which can be an issue.

Most systems provide an alternative method of opening and starting your vehicle in the event of losing your smartkey, or if the battery dies. Emergency starting can be accomplished by inserting the key into the slot, or by holding it close to an area of the cockpit where an inductive coil is able to transfer energy.

Many smart keys also have a low battery indicator that warns you before the key is dead. If necessary, you are able to easily replace the batteries yourself.

Auto-adjusting settings

Instead of using the physical keys for your car smart car keys keys make use of radio waves to unlock and lock the car. The smart key also allows you to remotely start the engine and monitor the location of your vehicle in case you forget where you parked it.

Certain smart keys have settings that automatically adjust the car's exterior and interior based on which key is detected. The car can automatically adjust the seat position as well as the settings for mirrors and climate control depending on which key is being used. This is useful if you are looking to restrict certain features or have multiple drivers.

Another benefit of smart keys is the fact that they use encryption to protect against theft, which isn't possible with traditional keys. This makes it difficult for criminals with a technological edge to steal a car by mimicking a valid frequency, reports How Stuff Works Electronics. Smart keys transmit a distinct, encrypted message every time the remote is unlocked.

The battery of a smart key will eventually wear out like any other battery-operated device. The majority of systems are designed with a backup method to unlock and start the car if the battery fails. The emergency method differs in the majority of cases, but it involves holding the key within the range of the car's lock sensor or pressing a button on the key that activates the emergency starter.

Battery Backup

Modern smart keys, also known as keyless entry systems or passive entry use a transmitter and receiver to unlock your car. The transmitter is embedded in the key fob that you carry with you and the receivers are placed in your vehicle as well as around the outside of it. When you get close to the vehicle the radio frequency signal from your smart key is recognized by the receivers and activates the doors and ignition.

The system has numerous advantages, including not having to look in the dark to find keys, but it is vulnerable to attacks of a certain type. How Stuff Works Electronics reports that if the battery of your key goes out or is damaged it is possible for someone to pick up its low frequency transmission signal, and open your vehicle. The majority of smart keys have encrypted signals, making hacking more difficult.

If you notice that your smart key fob doesn't work as expected, it could be due to a problem with interference. In this scenario, you shouldn't put your key near such devices until the battery of the device has been replaced. Fortunately, the majority of smart keys will inform you well in advance when their batteries are running low and the procedure for replacing the batteries is quite easy.