New BMW key fob prototype - changing the future

Dubscamaro · 01-03-2014, 02:25 PM

This BMW Key Fob May Be The Car Key Of The Future

If you have a fob on your car keychain, go pick it up and look at it.

It’s probably rectangular and black, and has a few buttons on it. It can unlock and lock your car, maybe open the trunk, and if it’s really fancy, it can set off a panic alarm or remote start your vehicle. Newer cars that don’t use a key to turn the ignition require the fob to be in the car to start the vehicle.

As it stands today, that’s about as advanced as key fobs get.

BMW might be on the cusp of changing the fob game entirely with the fob for its i8 model.

The concept for the BMW i8 fob includes LCD-type displays on the actual device. So in addition to tactile buttons that perform classic fob functions like unlocking the vehicle or popping the trunk, you’d now be able to see things like how much fuel you have in the vehicle (or, since we’re entering an electric vehicle world, how much range is left on your charge). The possibilities for what could also be shown on the fob are endless: Where is your vehicle located? Not just remote starting, but setting the thermostat remotely.

Perhaps one of the simplest, but for me most useful, functions of a display-enabled fob would be something that tells me whether the vehicle is locked or not (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left my vehicle at an airport and panicked wondering if I remembered to lock it as I was hustling to get to my flight.)

You can almost guarantee this technology will make it to market, although it might only come as an add-on feature, at least in non-BMW vehicles. Also, you’d expect that this would be a very expensive piece of equipment to replace, so if you’re one who is prone to dropping (or losing) car keys, you might want to stick with the classic key set.

theultralinx.com by TYLER RIGGS

Dizzy82 · 01-03-2014, 04:29 PM

God forbid you should loose it. Current key fobs are expensive enough as it is.

SSTG · 01-03-2014, 04:55 PM

Nice, but why not incorporate all that into my smart phone?

You can already control your home HVAC system with your smart phone this should be possible also with your car.

Pi kappa alpha · 01-03-2014, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSTG

Nice, but why not incorporate all that into my smart phone?

You can already control your home HVAC system with your smart phone this should be possible also with your car.

Profit above all else. $$$$$$$$

Aequitas & Veritas · 01-03-2014, 05:28 PM

Looks pretty awesome but maybe to much tech.

Front Runner · 01-03-2014, 05:33 PM

Impressive, but not for me. That thing will cost a fortune to replace if its lost or broken.

Mark114 · 01-03-2014, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSTG

Nice, but why not incorporate all that into my smart phone?

We already have many of these features available on our Camaros for those willing to pay for OnStar. It was interesting technology during the free trial, but not worth the price for me.

Number 3 · 01-03-2014, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSTG

Nice, but why not incorporate all that into my smart phone?

You can already control your home HVAC system with your smart phone this should be possible also with your car.

Yeah, right there with you. If you have OnStar you a can already do these with your phone.

Check fuel
Check battery range for EV
Remote Start
Remote Lock unlock

The only thing your phone doesn't do now (but can) is be recognized for proximity sensing for lock and unlock simply by approaching the car.

z24turbo93 · 01-03-2014, 09:43 PM

When will we see finger print technology. I don't want any keys to carry around.

*DGthe3* · 01-03-2014, 11:13 PM

Seems like a lot of techno wizardry for the sake of techno wizardry.

Because really ... does it matter if you know how much gas is in your tank when you are nowhere near your car? If you aren't at your car, there isn't a whole lot you can do about it anyway. I can see it might be handy if your evening stroll takes you past your local gas station, and you just happen to carry a jerry can with you at all times, and you tend to forget just how much fuel you had left from the last time you drove your car. In that situation, I can totally see it being a worthwhile application of this technology. But I'm not sure there is anyone that does that. Maybe I'm wrong though & that is a common occurrence for BMW drivers.

King Sun · 01-04-2014, 11:57 AM

now if it could function as a watch/smart device I would be all on this

nester7929 · 01-04-2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Seems like a lot of techno wizardry for the sake of techno wizardry.

Because really ... does it matter if you know how much gas is in your tank when you are nowhere near your car? If you aren't at your car, there isn't a whole lot you can do about it anyway. I can see it might be handy if your evening stroll takes you past your local gas station, and you just happen to carry a jerry can with you at all times, and you tend to forget just how much fuel you had left from the last time you drove your car. In that situation, I can totally see it being a worthwhile application of this technology. But I'm not sure there is anyone that does that. Maybe I'm wrong though & that is a common occurrence for BMW drivers.

It's for the i8, which is entirely battery powered. I don't have an electric car myself, but I bet it would be nice to be able to check on its progress while charging.

*DGthe3* · 01-04-2014, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nester7929

It's for the i8, which is entirely battery powered. I don't have an electric car myself, but I bet it would be nice to be able to check on its progress while charging.

I was going off the written description, where "you’d now be able to see things like how much fuel you have in the vehicle" is specifically mentioned.

And the i8 will be offered as a hybrid, at least in 1 version.

ChrisBlair · 01-05-2014, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Seems like a lot of techno wizardry for the sake of techno wizardry.

Because really ... does it matter if you know how much gas is in your tank when you are nowhere near your car? If you aren't at your car, there isn't a whole lot you can do about it anyway. I can see it might be handy if your evening stroll takes you past your local gas station, and you just happen to carry a jerry can with you at all times, and you tend to forget just how much fuel you had left from the last time you drove your car. In that situation, I can totally see it being a worthwhile application of this technology. But I'm not sure there is anyone that does that. Maybe I'm wrong though & that is a common occurrence for BMW drivers.

100% agree. Just because tech can be added to something, that doesn't automatically make the thing better, and adding features doesn't equal a win just because it has lots of features. Remember the car Homer Simpson designed for his brother?

I suspect this thing will become all the rage, because tech is fashion and people buy into exclusivity whenever a respected brand like BMW tells them it is exclusive. So soon a KIA with this fob will be cooler, because the keyfob can tell the owner how much blinker fluid is left in the car while the owner sits on a toilet.

01-03-2014, 02:25 PM	#1
Dubscamaro Living Life in MPH. Drives: 15 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,114 View My Garage	New BMW key fob prototype - changing the future This BMW Key Fob May Be The Car Key Of The Future If you have a fob on your car keychain, go pick it up and look at it. It’s probably rectangular and black, and has a few buttons on it. It can unlock and lock your car, maybe open the trunk, and if it’s really fancy, it can set off a panic alarm or remote start your vehicle. Newer cars that don’t use a key to turn the ignition require the fob to be in the car to start the vehicle. As it stands today, that’s about as advanced as key fobs get. BMW might be on the cusp of changing the fob game entirely with the fob for its i8 model. The concept for the BMW i8 fob includes LCD-type displays on the actual device. So in addition to tactile buttons that perform classic fob functions like unlocking the vehicle or popping the trunk, you’d now be able to see things like how much fuel you have in the vehicle (or, since we’re entering an electric vehicle world, how much range is left on your charge). The possibilities for what could also be shown on the fob are endless: Where is your vehicle located? Not just remote starting, but setting the thermostat remotely. Perhaps one of the simplest, but for me most useful, functions of a display-enabled fob would be something that tells me whether the vehicle is locked or not (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left my vehicle at an airport and panicked wondering if I remembered to lock it as I was hustling to get to my flight.) You can almost guarantee this technology will make it to market, although it might only come as an add-on feature, at least in non-BMW vehicles. Also, you’d expect that this would be a very expensive piece of equipment to replace, so if you’re one who is prone to dropping (or losing) car keys, you might want to stick with the classic key set. theultralinx.com by TYLER RIGGS Attached Images __________________ Devon W.

01-03-2014, 04:29 PM	#2
Dizzy82 Drives: 2011 1LT/RS A6 RJT SuperCharged Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: 87114 Posts: 3,501 View My Garage	God forbid you should loose it. Current key fobs are expensive enough as it is. __________________ Power is worthless without control. *The 2nd* protects the 1st.** BMR sub frame brace, BMR tunnel brace, LSR sways, LSR CM ca & tl, Sphon ExD el, GM tower brace, Megan EZ Streets, Goodridge Stainless Steel Braided brake lines, PowerStop D/S rotors & pads, Doug Thorty Ceramic Shorties, Magnaflow x-pipe, MRT V2.0, KICKER PowerStage sub & amp, Infinity speakers & tweeters, Viteese Throttle Controller, Viteese Paddle Shifters, ACS T2 Splitter, ACS T2 Ports/Quad LED lights, VDI kit, Havoc diffuser, IPF ECU/TRANS tuned, IPF/KPE Supercharged. 364RWHP/297RWTQ

01-03-2014, 05:28 PM	#5
Aequitas & Veritas Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT RS, 2009 GTR Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 2,559 View My Garage	Looks pretty awesome but maybe to much tech. __________________ Build thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152335 Photos: www.flickr.com/bradbeer GTR Instagram: @NoCrustGTR

01-03-2014, 05:33 PM	#6
Front Runner Drives: 2016 Nightfall Gray Metallic SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: NC Posts: 1,011	Impressive, but not for me. That thing will cost a fortune to replace if its lost or broken. __________________ 2016 Nightfall Gray Camaro SS

01-03-2014, 11:13 PM	#10
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	Seems like a lot of techno wizardry for the sake of techno wizardry. Because really ... does it matter if you know how much gas is in your tank when you are nowhere near your car? If you aren't at your car, there isn't a whole lot you can do about it anyway. I can see it might be handy if your evening stroll takes you past your local gas station, and you just happen to carry a jerry can with you at all times, and you tend to forget just how much fuel you had left from the last time you drove your car. In that situation, I can totally see it being a worthwhile application of this technology. But I'm not sure there is anyone that does that. Maybe I'm wrong though & that is a common occurrence for BMW drivers. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

01-03-2014, 04:55 PM	#3
SSTG Drives: 2014 Z51 Corvette Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ofallon, Mo. Posts: 5,822	Nice, but why not incorporate all that into my smart phone? You can already control your home HVAC system with your smart phone this should be possible also with your car.

01-03-2014, 09:43 PM	#9
z24turbo93 Drives: 06 Cobalt SS/SC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 1	When will we see finger print technology. I don't want any keys to carry around.

01-04-2014, 11:57 AM	#11
King Sun Casual Camaro Owner Drives: 2010 Black LS V6 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Jacksonville Fl Posts: 1,090	now if it could function as a watch/smart device I would be all on this