We recently wrote about the future of car keys, and in that we mentioned how Volvo is working to get rid of them altogether in the not-so-distant future.
But there’s plenty of innovation when it comes to their design, and new keys continue to be made that are jam-packed with amazing technology. They might not be going anywhere soon…
BMW 7 Series
Some newer 7 Series models, such as the G11 and G12, have some pretty cool car key tech. In fact, the key looks more like a small smartphone. The fob has a 2.2-inch high resolution LCD touchscreen, which tells you useful information such as how much petrol’s in the car.
Other features include a panic button and the ability to pre-set the car’s temperature using the key.
Most impressive of all though is the fact that you’re able to remotely park the car using the key.
That’s right – you don’t even have to be in the car.
There’s some caveats, of course – the vehicle has to be right in front of the space, and it’s limited to travelling a distance 1.5 times the length of the car.
Whilst it may not actually be too useful, that’s undoubtedly more exciting than your regular car key!
Tesla Model S
Carrying on with the theme of using car keys as remote controls, the Tesla Model S key can be used to summon the car.
Unsurprisingly this can only be done at very low speeds, is limited to a distance of 33 feet, and the operator must be no more than 10 feet away.
Pulling into those extra-tight spaces might not be so tricky if this technology keeps going the way it is!
The Tesla key also looks rather cool, too…
Jaguar F-PACE
Jaguar’s F-PACE SUV has the optional extra of a wearable, wristband car key.
Although you still need keys to start the ignition, this wristband locks and unlocks the car by placing it against the Jaguar emblem on the boot of the car. This means that the keys can be left in the glovebox, whilst you can still safely lock the car.
Additionally, the F-PACE wristband communicates with the key fob to activate the keys – meaning they’ll be useless to anyone who isn’t wearing the band.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin’s key is so cool it’s not even a key: it’s an ‘emotional control unit’.
A small glass rectangle – sapphire chrystal for the DBS – this key’s easy start technology means it’s simply inserted into a port on the dashboard before the start button’s pressed.
There’s not many gimmicks on this one – and it’d certainly be fragile if you dropped it. But it’s definitely a beautiful piece of craftsmanship.
Whether the features of these car keys would actually be very practical is anybody’s guess. Nevertheless, they highlight some exciting innovations and show that car keys can be just as exciting as the car itself!
Have we missed any cool car keys off of this list? Let us know!