Aftermarket Maker, Apple Aim to Put Keyless Remote Suppliers Out of Business
October 14, 2009

Despair surely reigns in the electronics divisions of several major automotive suppliers with this week's unveiling of an Apple iPhone-based aftermarket system to remotely start your vehicle as well as perform all the functions of a traditional keyless remote.

After all, the electronics boffins have themselves already nonsensically eliminated the need for actual keys, so now Apple and the aftermarket are taking the exercise one step further, eliminating the need for OEM remote key fobs.

Directed Electronics said this week it has an iPhone app that will allow a vehicle properly wired with its Viper SmartStart hardware to be started remotely. The app also enables conventional door and trunk lock/unlock features and "panic" alarm operation.

And unlike current OEM and aftermarket remote starters, the company says the Viper SmartStart system allows the vehicle to be remotely started from almost any distance, provided both iPhone and vehicle have access to cellular signal.

Better still, the system can be used to control multiple vehicles from the same iPhone.

"The growth and popularity of the iPhone has opened the door for a whole new category of products in our business," said Kevin Duffy, president of Directed Electronics, in a release.

"Our customers have consistently told us that the two most important features in a remote starter are range and user interface. We developed the Viper SmartStart in response; range is virtually unlimited, and iPhone owners can use the elegant touch-screen interface they already carry in their pocket."

For vehicles that don't have existing remote start hardware, the system costs $499. Those already using Viper-based remote-start capability can upgrade to the iPhone-controlled SmartStart module for $299.

Actual keys already are being steadily phased out. But by actively working to eliminate the OEM-supplied key in the access and starting of the vehicle, suppliers and automakers may have set the stage for completely removing themselves from the most basic interface with the vehicle.

An ever-growing number of vehicles now employ pushbutton starters as a part of so-called "intelligent" starting systems, making a hard key superfluous. But the owner still needs a remote fob for active or passive entry and to electronically "tell" the vehicle's body and engine-management controllers it's okay for the engine to be started.

While the intelligent entry/starting systems remain reliant on the OEM-supplied electronics, how long can it be before demand dictates the entire new-school "keyless" process be enabled for cell phones, abolishing the need to carry any kind of keyless remote?

Makers of keys already are looking for other work. Suppliers of electronic remotes can now begin looking over their shoulders as well. - Bill Visnic, senior contributing editor

Viper SmartStart interface via free Apple iPHone application (photo courtesy Directed Electronics)

Posted by Bill Visnic at 9:17 AM under Business , In the Media , News , Technology | Comments (4) | digg this | Seed Newsvine

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