The latest news out of Europe is VW has fitted prox readers in their vehicles. The owner carries a prox type key fob in his pocket. When he is within 6 feet of the vehicle it automatically disarms and unlocks. When he sits in the drivers seat it allows him to press the start button on the dash. When he get out of the car and walks away, the car arms and deadlocks it's self automatically. ZERO KEYS.
Maybe Volkswagon will do what Toyota is doing for the Prius (a seriously neat car) for the 2004 model.
The 2004 prius uses a prox fob, but the fob is built in such a way as to envelope the key. A standard lock is provided for door and ignition, but one normally gets just walks up to the door, grabs the handle and opens. The car is "started" by touching a button on the dashboard.
Starting the car is slightly different in a hybrid, as the gas engine may not be needed at the moment and may not actually run, but that's another story.
If the battery is dead the doors can be unlocked using the key. If the key is locked in a key can be impressioned.
I like the concept of the proximity fob, but don't see a big advantage over the existing remote door locks. You still need to reach out and grab the door handle.
Daniel
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