We put together a quick video for the website;

http://www.benscaraudio.com/images/MOV00113.MPG

It takes about three minutes on a dsl connection - so be patient.

 

Definitely a "hand-y" project!

So what will you do with the RFID chip when you sell the car?

 

I hate doing anything to a car that is not easily reversible, there are a few connections made for the lock / unlock, door trigger, and the factory key switch is unplugged. As for me - my chip is semi-permanent but I can program any reader to recognize it, provided it is designed for the correct freq. and protocol.

 

Impressive!

I assume costs associated with this would vary depending on vehicle but what is the xfire retrofit approx. cost?

 

Wow. Very impressive.
Is this the technology BMW, Lexus, Audi... is using on keyless entry??

 

Pretty cool - You could also offer "stealth" chips - in rings, necklaces, watches, bracelet, shoes, cigarette lighter, cigarette pack holder, cell phone cover, etc - something (or place) a car thief probably wouldn't look for. Or a picture card that will only activate if you touch a series of graphics in the right order. Butterfly, rainbow, dog, wrench, then it starts - if not - it won't start. Otherwise, anyone who has the card can take your car.

Love it - You rock!

 

Good morning guys !! As for costs - we are still working out the particulars as to what level or levels we can offer. Initially we were talking about just offering an immobilizer that you could card swipe to gain access and then allow a preset time to start - still using the original key. This would be good for fleet apps where multiple people had access multiple vehicles, One of our clients owns a land development biz with maybe fifty large 'cdl' required trucks and what not on the property. In that scenario the key would be left in the truck and only the authorized cards would allow startup. At the same time if a card was lost or stolen I can just program out That card. The other scenario involves using the card as I have for full startup and keyless driving, the issue there is we have to add a secondary mechanical lock device because you have to deal with the factory column lock. Any thing we do there probably would be more secure given that it is so easy to break the pin. Either way we are shooting for under five hundred for Immobilizer systems installed and around $1,500.00 for complete. Of course this involves a card based system - not implants - you're on you're own there (I've got a scalpel if you've got the heuevos).
As for the other systems - they are similar except they are "active" rfid meaning they require there own power source. That allows much greater range. But you are still required to button start the car. This also explains the confusion over whether our keys required the battery to allow startup - they do not, only the higher line benz' with the smart card need the battery.

 

WOW BEN! This is GREAT!
When you mentioned this in reply to an earlier thread regarding aftermarket alarm installation on the Crossfire, I thought you were kidding. I should have known better.
I'm sure this is the wave of the future. The near future. No more lost keys!

 

that's radical... XFBIONICS!!!... amazed!!!

j

 

Ben...again, what did you do to shut off the engine from inside the car? I couldn't understand that part...and, do you really have that chip installed in your hand? wowzers...

 

That is some way cool stuff!
One question, What do you do if the car stalls? Is there a provision for this?

 

good questions, I have a large red momentary switch mounted in the space vacated by the passenger airbag light. This switch shuts down the ignition and accessory circuits. And yes there is a small passive microtransmitter (rfid) surgically implanted in my left hand. As far as re-start right now I would have to reach over my left shoulder and trigger the reader from the inside, I built the case out of Sintra (a foam core plastic) so that the antenna reads perfectly well from both sides. It would still be a good idea to setup a momentary switch on a timer so that you could do a quick re-start bypassing the authentication process if it was triggered within maybe 5 sec. of shutdown.

 

Thought about solutions to when the battery goes dead? I would assume RFID system would shut down when the battery is dead.

Anyhow, you should throw that mov clip all over the web. I think customers of 310 and Unique Motorsports would love to have that installed on their vehicles. Who knows? We might see Bens Car Audio on the Discovery channel.

 

Ben... my son, Xfire1a, made an obvious observation,

"one can never lose the keys!!!"

 

porterhouse; this system basically replaces two different systems that would present the same hurdles as the factory systems, if the batt. goes dead. First, you would have to gain access via the standard door key, then open the hood and recharge the battery. The reader's memory is non-volatile so all the codes should still be intact upon wake-up. I would also suggest that you try never to 'jumpstart' on any car. jumpstarting spins the starter and energizes the ignition and fuel stuff, but as soon as the engine lights-off, the alternator is charging into effectively a near dead short - the dead battery. If that is the only option then let the charging vehicle run hooked up to the dead car for a few minutes before trying the dead car. Still bad, but maybe survivable by both. Xfire1a; now I hope I don't lose my extra key and have a dead battery at the same time!! I'm fully capable of doing that.

 

Can this be programmed to any card I have a card that i use to get into my work. the computer shows when I come and leave Its called the Kronos card.

 

To remind everybody this is still in the development phase, Alpha testing if you will (that sounds sooo cool). But that question has come up before. It would be pretty convenient to be able to start your car, unlock your house, get into work all on the same card ...

 

"The Bens Audio Express Card. Don't leave home without it".

 

yeah... i still can't get over the hand... i know there is technology out there... but i wasn't expecting it to be Ben's vid.

gives a new meaning to "handyman" huh?


but seriously, if that chip is in Ben's hand, he is a true pioneer...

j

 

I just spent two and a half hours taping video and shuffling between television stations. They took a ton of video, lots of different angles and my poor starter has a few less years left. I'm pretty sure there's at least a couple of scratches that the cameraman put there with his lens but, you know, this airtime is worth thousands to my business! I'll get some touch-up paint.


Ben