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This is a bit random, even for off topic.
I'm a 4th year student studying Industrial Design at Auburn University and I'm working on a Keyless Entry remote that will have integrated bluetooth. I originally wanted to have a keyfob that could connect to your car stereo wirelessly. I also have considered having it report diagnostic or maintenance issues, but this is all brainstorming at this point.

I was hoping some of you (as car enthusiasts) will have good insight and suggestions.

What complaints do you have with current keyless entry remotes, and what additional functions might you find useful in your keyless entry remote?

Consider:

Materials
Form Factor
Buttons
Texture

Any input is welcome and greatly appreciated.[/align][/align]

 

Perhaps a way to turn your heater or ac on from outside the car for really hot/cold days? I dont really have any complaints about keyless entry since I've never owned a car with it

 

I think that bluetooth is awesome first of all. My buddy had his radio hooked up wireless to his phone so he can listen to music. I think that it would be an awesome idea to have a remote that would be able to hold songs like an ipod, turn you car on or off and adjust the heat/air like metioned before. Of course this remote would have to have some kind of slick cover for it to protect you from starting your car on accidentwhich could be a plus bc you could take in consideration all the new flip phones. why can we have a little flip remote with a lcd screen. that would be awesome. Another thing I like are the alarms that allow you to see a picture of your car and where the alarm was activated from. To go along with that my Grand Prix GTP has a little information center that tells you your gas mileage, oil life and other things. Be nice if blutooth could maybe work with the cars computer with being able to transfer informationbackand forth between the cars computer and theremote and if you have any problems you could send this information to a tech and get feedback with out dealing with the huge cost at a dealership just to haveyour computer scanned.Maybe even send theCEL(check engine light) code to the remote.I think that it would be a very good step socar ownersfeel more confident with their mechanic once they know they have the right diagnosis. (people hate paying for a mechanic to tell you he doesnt know)I could think up these ideas all day long. good topic

hope to hear more of your ideas

 

Make them smaller...I hate how huge fobs are, even when they're integrated into the key.

Take a look at the fob for the new Volvo S80...tells you if someone is hiding in your car, if your car is locked, and it'll run a diagnostic for you (I think).

 

make something small and sexy...think like the IPOD or something where you have no buttons but a touch screen or scroll wheel...size of a credit card...all LCD screen, metal casing, titanium on LE model (LOL), no buttons - buttons gets crusty and dirt in them, etc...make a smooth surface so its cleanable, and make it really scratch resistant or coated ti or ceramic so you can put it in your pocket with the keys...it has to LOOK nice, to make it something you enjoy carrying with you...

make a little loop, so it can fit in a lanyard hole, so someone can carry it around their neck with work ID cards, etc...just add features to it...

bluetooth would have to berechargableetc, so it would come with a docking station, like a cell phone, you recharge it every few days...but put the charger in the car while you drive...im not a slave to this device and most people arent going to carry around extra chargers, so make it easy...

(Try to avoid making it be able toplaymp3,the screen can display jpgs, etc...I think all that extra stuff is beyond the scope of the project, so just stick to car stuff...otherwise just say the FOB is an iphone since that already does everything else...)

If its aftermarket, make it have a learning remote so if your car is already chipped ignition, say it can automatically detect and store your key, or something like that...onstar already has monitoring, so say its compatible with that out of the box with GMs...

take a lookandborrow your inspiration fromdeviceswhich already have beenprofessionally designed...good grades are all about research...

so like the merc, it opens the doors for you when you are near the car automatically, so in winter you dont have to even press any button, thats as simple as it gets...if your car has a problem the LCD screen on the device turns solid RED, so you willnotice that, then it gives you a code to check online...simple stuff, not a billion options you are never going to use...

for extra security, say the car wont start without the fob on your personand the key in the ignition, and it gives you a rolling code out of a billion number combinationseverytime you leave the car...so if you loose the fob the car wont be going awaywhere, it would have to be towed to the dealer...thats the security system itself...

 

I would be happy with a mic that played through the speakers of the car. If the alarm goes off, you can push a button and talk into it to scare away burglars.