A Key Fob? In 2018? Really?
The early 1980s were a low point in American automotive history. The muscle cars and stylish sedans of previous decades were relics in an era of fuel-efficient imports, leaving Detroit with an unfortunate lineup of vehicles that nearly killed the domestic car industry. But in the middle of this morass, the 1980 Ford Thunderbird – a feeble and clumsy medical oddity that was a disgrace to the t-bird name – turned out to be a trend setter: it was the first car to offer keyless entry through a number pad on the driver’s door. Two years later, American Motors launched the first remote system, letting people unlock their cars from a short distance away. By the late 1990s, Mercedes was offering smart keys that let drivers start their cars without inserting a physical key.
And then we sat and waited. For the last 20 years just about everything related to autotech has changed, and we’re still using 1990s technology to open, start, stop, and lock our cars. That’s like buying a new car with a cassette deck.
So what is the next leap forward going to be? The answer is facial recognition and artificial intelligence. Imagine being able to walk up to your car and have it know that you’re the driver…and that some random person walking down the road shouldn’t be allowed in. It may sound like science fiction, but the technology already exists. Unfortunately, the carmakers have been slow to innovate in this area.
Of course, replicating the function of a key is only step one. What about a smart vehicle that can automatically detect a driver’s (or passenger’s) preferences on everything from seat position to temperature to music? Or automatically log them into their most common navigation settings? Many of today’s cars have a few preset buttons for the driver’s seat, but that requires a manual adjustment every time. An automated system powered by facial recognition would eliminate the hassle and create a better experience. Imagine all of the “honey, move the seat back!” conversations becoming as antiquated as complaints about twisted phone cords.
Even better, face recognition systems have the potential to not only know who you are, but also what you’re doing. While key fobs and smartphones can only sense proximity, face recognition with artificial intelligence can actually analyze your emotions and comfort level on the basis of factors like your skin temperature and face expressions. Is the driver concentrating on the road or checking their email? A key fob can’t tell the difference, but 3D face recognition certainly would be able to.
The advantage of this sort of system is obvious for drivers and passengers, but what’s in it for car companies? Simply put, driver experience is often the most important factor when it comes to new sales. Giving owners a way to ditch their keys forever – while at the same time enjoying a personalized experience behind the wheel – is a recipe for major competitive advantage in the showroom.