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A car key that locks down your cellphone
Those kids today: yammering on their cellphones all day, and the texting. It's all fun and games until you start doing it while driving. Yeah, that would be a big no-no regardless of your age, though University of Utah researchers had teens in mind when they designed the Key2SafeDriving: a car key that locks up the driver's cellphone as soon as the key is extended from the fob.
It works like so: Once it's set up, as soon as the driver extends the key, the fob sends a signal to the phone via Bluetooth or RFID tech, disabling the phone from making calls or texting (and putting a big Stop sign on the screen, natch). Anyone calling or texting the phone will get an automated message (probably something like, "Can't talk — driving"), though calls will still get through if you use a hands-free device.
While still in the development stages, the tech could reach the market as early as next year, and the researchers estimate the cost at a reasonable $50 per key. Honestly, we can't find anything to complain about on this one, apart from the terrible name. It's a great idea, and not just for teens. Can anyone think of a reason this shouldn't be standard in all new cars?
University of Utah, via Engadget
By Leebring at 2:21 PM ON 12/12/08
I have to get one of these.
By dancesonsnow at 5:33 PM ON 12/12/08
what if you need to call 911?
By Cecily at 2:32 PM ON 12/14/08
If you have to call 911 while driving, all you have to do is pull over. EVERY CAR should come with one of these. There is no reason why not. You can't stop teens (and adult idiots) from being idiots on the road, but at least you can limit their excuses for blowing a stop light and mowing down a pedestrian because "OMG, my BFF just txted me!" When people of any age do childish things, they absolutely SHOULD be treated like children.
By januaryfire at 9:16 PM ON 12/14/08
what's to stop a car owner from using a disposable cell phone? or someone borrowing your car...the key won't work on that phone. if you're going to go this far in being big brother, why not have devices that limit the car's speed within city limits or on certain streets?
By afterburner909 at 12:52 PM ON 12/15/08
I can think of quite a few ways this idea could go horribly wrong. I've been in situations where I've have to call 911 and simultaneously avoid a road-rage maniac who caused me to call in the first place. -->NO,CECILY! Pulling over in those situations was not an option(a safe option,at least). I'm not too concerned though. How long would it take for a kid to figure out how to bypass this technology and then spread the solution all over Youtube? Not very long. Also,since teens usually have a friend in their car,the driver just has to say"Hey,can I borrow your cell phone?".This invention is D.O.A.
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afterburner909:
I can think of quite a few ways this idea could go horribly wrong. I've been in situations where I've have to call ...More »