"The Smart Fortwo Key Fob Awards: The Best, Worst And The Most Bizarre Things We've Seen
Smart Car Key Security Features
Smart keys communicate with your vehicle continuously whether it's in your pocket or on your desk. They communicate with each other through radiofrequency waves.
When the smart key is within distance, the computer in your car recognizes and verifies the rolling code projected from the key fob before getting the car started. This helps to deter thieves.
Security
Many drivers are hesitant to give control of their car to a digital fob on smartphones. Security is one of the primary concerns. The good news is a smart key has many of the same features that a traditional car fob does.
Smart keys lock and unlock the doors with fingerprint recognition. To use this feature, the user must place their finger on a sensor close to the door knob or lock handle (depending on the configuration of the vehicle). This is similar to how a phone or tablet equipped with an embedded fingerprint scanner operates.
A smart key could also ensure the safety of vehicles by not sending the same frequency signal repeatedly. If a key sent an individual signal each time it opened or unlocked an trunk remotely, this would enable tech-savvy thieves connect cars to hotwires and drive them away. Fortunately, this isn't an issue because smart keys emit a distinct encrypted signal every when the door is opened or the trunk is opened remotely.
Smart keys also can help in preventing theft of cars at gas stations or other parking spaces. Smart keys send an extremely low-frequency signal that can only be detected by nearby smart keys, and not by objects or individuals that are not within the vehicle. The signal is detectable only within 10 centimeters of a smart key. So, it's impossible to take your vehicle away by taking an engine.
Convenience
Smart keys eliminate the need to rummage through your pockets to find a key, or lock the car using a remote. Instead, tap your smartphone in the app to unlock or start the engine and go on your way!
Smart keys, unlike traditional key fobs, which transmit the signal with low power that communicates with your car using radiofrequency waves. The key fob is equipped with an encrypted chip that the antenna in your car can recognize. When you are within of the car's range, it knows to unlock the doors and/or start the engine.
Some smart keys also store settings for the seats or steering wheel, as well as mirrors that allow you to alter them with just one button. This feature is becoming increasingly popular and a growing number of manufacturers are introducing it to their automobiles.
smart car key reprogramming is booming due to the rising demand for safety features. These features decrease the wear and tear on the ignition system of a car and guarantee that only the owner can start or stop the engine. Smart keys can also inform the driver when the battery is running low and make it more difficult for thieves to steal the car.
Certain systems also allow you to open your doors at a distance if the battery for your smart key fails. It is recommended to keep a spare mechanical key in your wallet, or in a safe place.
Autonomy
Instead of the key fob which must be in the driver's pocket to open or start a car, smart key systems work when the door handle or the trunk release button is hit. These systems also work when a sensor senses the driver is in close proximity.
The idea is to avoid pressing a key fob during driving, allowing drivers to concentrate on driving in a safe and secure manner. The technology is already available in some premium cars, and is becoming popular with mainstream automakers who are working to meet consumer demand.
While this feature is convenient however, it can also be dangerous in the event that the driver does not take their key fob from the pocket before leaving or entering the vehicle. Smart key fobs emit low-frequency signaling that can be picked by other devices that can open doors or even pop the boot. This is a technique called a relay, and it's been used by cyber-savvy criminals to steal cars from fueling stations as well as parking spaces.
Most smart key systems do come with a backup method to start and open the vehicle in the event of the battery being dead. The driver usually must put the dead key fob into the slot or place it in a specific space in the cockpit, to trigger an emergency start system, which usually involves an inductive coil that transfers energy from the key to the vehicle.
Safety
The smart key has built-in security features which locks the vehicle when you leave. The smart key can stop the vehicle from being operated and unlock the trunk when keys are in the trunk. This will stop you from being locked out of your vehicle in an unsafe location or when running the errands.
As opposed to traditional keys, a smart key fob can communicate with the vehicle using radiofrequency signals. While it's crucial to be aware that your vehicle isn't spying, the fact that the key fob sends these signals makes it possible for criminals to intercept these signals and gain control over the vehicle.
Open Road Auto Group explains traditional key fobs emit the same frequency signal every time they unlock doors or remotely pop out of the trunk. This means that a cyber-savvy criminal could possibly infiltrate the system and take your vehicle. Smart car keys, however, send out an encrypted signal that is different each time they are used. This makes them more difficult to crack, and even more difficult for tech-savvy thieves to take advantage of.
Certain vehicles allow you to start the car by walking right up to it, pressing a button. Instead of traditional models that require you to insert and turn the key in order to start, these systems are powered by a key fob's battery. The key fob sends a signal to your car's antenna, letting it know that you're in close proximity. The car will activate the power doors, and begin its engine.