Volvo to ditch car keys by next year

[SirWanker]

Misleading Article Title Source (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/auto-shows/europe/volvo-to-ditch-car-keys-by-next-year/article28834586/)

So Volvo will have the option of keyless cars to buyers starting in 2017.
The traditional key will be replaced by an app for a smartphone. So far no details as to what operating system/flavour/build will be supported by said app.

IMHO this would be a great supplement to the key/fob but not really as a full replacement.
Why?

lose your phone, well you are royally fubarbed
phone battery is discharged, see above
forget your phone's security PIN ( you do use one right?) ; see above
you are outside your service area or there is poor reception; possibly screwed

[ryan2.3]

i agree, as a supplementary it'd be great but not a full replacement. Just like for the times where i forgot my wallet, but they have tap to pay, so i can use the NFC on my phone but i'm not about to throw out all my physical cards.

[Kiewan]

Seriously? How secure will this be?

Also:

"By offering a digital, Bluetooth-enabled key, Volvo hopes to present an easier solution for anyone booking a rental car or owners to allow friends or family to use the car when it otherwise may just be parked."

The only way I will let a GOOD FRIEND drive my car is if I GIVE THEM the key. This just seems silly to me.

[m_bisson]

This is a bad idea.

A key is such a good security measure simply because it is mechanical/physical. Combine new technologies with a key all you want, but don't make it easier for thieves to access your vehicle.

[Cab0oze]

Terrible idea, for all of the reasons mentioned above, and many more.

[bluntman]

It sounds cool, but wouldn't a Smart Key serve the same purpose? I know, it's one more thing to carry versus having everything in your cellphone, but the only time I take out my Smart Key is when I wash my pants. My Sportage knows when the Smart Key is inside the vehicle - the push button start works when the Smart Key is inside the vehicle and the doors won't lock (from the outside) if the Smart Key is inside the vehicle. There is even a relay that I could have installed (the problem is that the instructions were in Korean and the wire colours didn't match up to the ones on my vehicle) that unlocks one or all of the doors when I walk up to the vehicle - it even locks the doors and closes an open sunroof when you walk away.

[Cab0oze]

It sounds cool, but wouldn't a Smart Key serve the same purpose? I know, it's one more thing to carry versus having everything in your cellphone, but the only time I take out my Smart Key is when I wash my pants. My Sportage knows when the Smart Key is inside the vehicle - the push button start works when the Smart Key is inside the vehicle and the doors won't lock (from the outside) if the Smart Key is inside the vehicle. There is even a relay that I could have installed (the problem is that the instructions were in Korean and the wire colours didn't match up to the ones on my vehicle) that unlocks one or all of the doors when I walk up to the vehicle - it even locks the doors and closes an open sunroof when you walk away.Well one advantage over a smart key is if you lost your key it is an expensive replacement, whereas if it were just a phone app it would be free... theoretically. I'm still against it though, I prefer having a physical key. I can just imagine in 15 years when all of these purely electronic cars get old and become easy to hack/steal and the manufacturers aren't supporting them anymore... it'll be a mess. Or let's say the apps aren't updated to work on newer phones- you'll need a phone "key" for your car a phone for your phone, and maybe your work phone too. 3 phones. Awesome.

[Kiewan]

Well one advantage over a smart key is if you lost your key it is an expensive replacement, whereas if it were just a phone app it would be free... theoretically. I'm still against it though, I prefer having a physical key. I can just imagine in 15 years when all of these purely electronic cars get old and become easy to hack/steal and the manufacturers aren't supporting them anymore... it'll be a mess. Or let's say the apps aren't updated to work on newer phones- you'll need a phone "key" for your car a phone for your phone, and maybe your work phone too. 3 phones. Awesome.

To go even further on that they will be alienating older customers who arnt exactly downloading apps on smartphones. Many people still don't have smartphones nor are they interested in getting one.

[Hyperion]

Well one advantage over a smart key is if you lost your key it is an expensive replacement, whereas if it were just a phone app it would be free... theoretically. I'm still against it though, I prefer having a physical key. I can just imagine in 15 years when all of these purely electronic cars get old and become easy to hack/steal and the manufacturers aren't supporting them anymore... it'll be a mess. Or let's say the apps aren't updated to work on newer phones- you'll need a phone "key" for your car a phone for your phone, and maybe your work phone too. 3 phones. Awesome.
Key is expensive yes, but so is a new phone if you lose it.

[bluntman]

Didn't something like this happen in Toronto?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2988836/Thief-caught-surveillance-footage-using-mysterious-electronic-device-easily-open-locked-car.html

An app might make this less common versus a Smart Key, but with any technology, give it some time before thieves find a way to circumvent it. Bring back the physical keys! :)

[CarLadyLisa]

I understand the ease of a system like this. Pair phone. Walk up to car, senses the Bluetooth and can easily open/start like the intelligent keys. Bluetooth doesn't rely on mobile signal so it can work. With any technology there are flaws.

It seems like a good idea. Until yes, phone dies. Or what if someone needs to borrow the car...

Perhaps they will provide a backup key because what about if you go valet? You're not leaving your phone with them. And oh shoot! I forgot the valet key...

This will also alienate an entire generation like my parents who could give two poops about technology.

[m_bisson]

I understand the ease of a system like this. Pair phone. Walk up to car, senses the Bluetooth and can easily open/start like the intelligent keys. Bluetooth doesn't rely on mobile signal so it can work. With any technology there are flaws.

It seems like a good idea. Until yes, phone dies. Or what if someone needs to borrow the car...

Perhaps they will provide a backup key because what about if you go valet? You're not leaving your phone with them. And oh shoot! I forgot the valet key...

This will also alienate an entire generation like my parents who could give two poops about technology.

Or something simple, like an oil change. You have to give the mechanic your phone so they can drive it in.

[rajin929]

i read this and think...lol

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b0/b3/51/b0b351265a3c4ec19c8b349185e903f6.jpg

[CloudPump]

I understand the ease of a system like this. Pair phone. Walk up to car, senses the Bluetooth and can easily open/start like the intelligent keys. Bluetooth doesn't rely on mobile signal so it can work. With any technology there are flaws.

It seems like a good idea. Until yes, phone dies. Or what if someone needs to borrow the car...

Perhaps they will provide a backup key because what about if you go valet? You're not leaving your phone with them. And oh shoot! I forgot the valet key...

This will also alienate an entire generation like my parents who could give two poops about technology.

This technology will certainly also be cellular enabled (along with bluetooth). I'd be willing to bet that a valet mode will be part of the app that allows the vehicle to be started sans-key and operated within a 100m radius of a specific location.

-Geoff

[Kat]

This would be a hot mess for those who live in rural areas. I often travel to small towns for ballgames and cell service is intermittent at best in those small towns. That's a good way to alienate those owners who like to retire out in the country.

[CloudPump]

This would be a hot mess for those who live in rural areas. I often travel to small towns for ballgames and cell service is intermittent at best in those small towns. That's a good way to alienate those owners who like to retire out in the country.

I would think it unlikely that small town ballgames are having valet parking.

The standard technology would likely work on bluetooth, which doesn't need cellular signals.

-Geoff