It would be fantastic if we could get this new technology integrated into an engine start button:

http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/03/13/c....idg/index.html

No more keys! You already rarely use them to unlock your car door...

-B

 

I'd be afraid my evil twin might steal my stook. I noticed the article mentioned "one day" for this technology.

 

Yea- they have been promising it on handguns for a long time to protect cops from being shot by their own gun, and kids from taking their parents weapons.

I think the technology is available, but expensive. I'll bet we start seeing it as an option on highend cars by 2003 and aftermarket kits following. They already have fingerprint scanners you can buy for your home computer for a couple hundred bucks or less, but they use the CPU of your computer more than likely. And ultimately it has to be fully integrated into the cars ignition system to avoid bypassing it.

-B

 

Identical twins don't have the same fingerprints..so no problem there.

 

Coooooooool... now I've got a new project to work on after the MFD...Thanks bg!

 

But then, our keys already have a chip inside them that sends a code to the car's computer. The fingerprint code would be the same thing except that it'd contain more bits, is all. Assuming the reader is reliable, I don't see why this couldn't easily be done now.

 

This WILL be in future cars, but I am with Elistan. This COULD be done now. It isn't complicated. You use flashable RAM (EPROM, take your pick) and program it with the fingerprint(s) that are allowed to start the car...and that's really about it. A small computing device would check against that flashed image's attributes and VROOM!

Of course, programming the thing initially is a security issue. I think having a special key the owner keeps at home would do the trick. Need to add/change prints that start the car? Use that key to change it. I don't think it's very complicated, nor very expensive. I would love to have it! After all, it's how REAL F1 cars start...you don't see Jacques fiddling around with keys! Just press the button and GO!

Great idea!

 

Not a problem for an "evil" twin

 

So now, instead of getting knocked down and your keys taken by a couple of ner-do-wells, you get your finger cutoff too. Anybody see the movie Seven?