[sharkbait]

I have been looking at smart watches trying to find one that will let me drive WITHOUT carrying my key fob with me. None seem to exist. Plenty can access the My Chevrolet app, but that won't let you drive away without a fob.

It got me to thinking how much I would LOVE a plain old non-smart watch that could also perform the most basic functions of a keyless ignition key fob. I wouldn't even care if it only worked as a proximity device (no remote buttons) simply allowing me to lock/unlock the car by using the button on the door handle and start and drive the car.

The manual key hidden in the current fob, could be replaced by a credit card shaped hidden key holder. Picture a card slightly thicker than the manual key where you grab one end and pull out the key from within. Fits in your wallet, so it is almost always on you.

I don't like to carry the bulky fob in my pants pocket, and I frequently end up leaving it in the car when I exit, only to be scolded by the beeps. My wrist rarely leaves my body, so the watch fob just makes sense to me.

I would actually prefer it as a "dumb" watch because the smart watch thing feels a bit redundant to me, given my cell phone is always within 20 feet of me, if not on my person. This would also save space, as you just need the transponder portion of the fob, shaped to fit inside a watch. No buttons, no processor, no speaker or light. Just a classic analog watch hiding a transponder in it. My preference would be for a round face with an external bezel, in the style of the classic diver's watch.

I would happily plop down $150+ for one today if GM is listening. $300 if you make it waterproof enough for actual scuba diving.

 

[llninja]

Duct tape, watch band, existing key fob. Done, for about 30 cents worth of duct tape.

 

[2VoltFamily]

Smartwatch / Android wear for me is:

1. Answering calls when phone is tucked away. (used the most)
2. Making calls with OK Google while driving or climbing a ladder (came in handy when on the ladder a couple times)
3. Reading texts while phone is tucked away
4. Making texts with OK Google
5. Steps
6. Alarm, calendar reminders
7. oh, and seeing time and date without pulling out the phone.

 

[KenC]

The point of the smartwatch is so you don't have to pull out your phone for every notification. Doesn't seem like much, but you realize how often you do pull out your phone, after you get a smartwatch. In a fraction of a second after a notification, you can turn your wrist and see what it is and go back to what you were doing. The other benefit, is your phone's battery lasts longer since you've offloaded some of the work to the watch.

How about deconstructing one of your two fobs and putting the essential bits into a slot on a smartphone case holding your phone.

 

[Loboc]

GM and others are working on this tech for car sharing. There needs to be a method to summon and drive a car without passing a key around. Smartphone to start but shouldn't be hard to use a tethered watch.

Yet another vector for hacking.

Why are fobs so darn big? Mostly air in there.

 

[flyingsherpa]

...
How about deconstructing one of your two fobs and putting the essential bits into a slot on a smartphone case holding your phone.

This is the only realistic way of doing this today. Could be a neat project.

 

[khalfyard]

Why are fobs so darn big? Mostly air in there.

The VOLT is particularly egregious in the the "HUGE FOB" department. It's nearly TWICE the size and weight as my Nissan Leaf Fob. I just assumed it was a US/Japan thing, but really, couldn't the key fob's be miniaturized by a factor of 10 at this point?

 

[Fyodor]

Duct tape, watch band, existing key fob. Done, for about 30 cents worth of duct tape.

But you still have to pull out your phone to check the time. Someone should design a clock that fits on your wrist.

 

[hellsop]

The VOLT is particularly egregious in the the "HUGE FOB" department. It's nearly TWICE the size and weight as my Nissan Leaf Fob. I just assumed it was a US/Japan thing, but really, couldn't the key fob's be miniaturized by a factor of 10 at this point?

Only by omitting the physical key from the thing and more than just a single button. The Leaf fob still looks like it's about 2" long, and wide enough to hold a 2025 button cell, so ... you're complaing about the thickness needed to accommodate the flipout key instead of a scabbarded one. Good news! Gen 2 fixes your problem.

And be very glad you didn't buy a BMW Series 7...

 

[Dave778]

Keydiy has a smarteatch that doubles as a prox key.