Mazda throws away key for USB

Mazda has created a concept car that uses a USB drive as its ignition key.

The USB (universal serial bus) feature will be part of its Sassou concept car, a small hatchback aimed at the youth market, Mazda said this week. The car will be unveiled at this month's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Sassou uses a USB "key" and interface port that will let drivers program and load files onto the car's hard drive. But auto industry watchers note that such a feature may take years to show up on showroom floors--or it may never make it that far.

"Concept cars are used to introduce a new body style and, on top of that, the manufactures throw in all kinds of features. Often, those ideas are not ready for production," said Csaba Csere, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver magazine. "It usually takes three years from design to production."

Bluetooth, for example, was discussed as a potential feature in cars for six years before it made it into production, Csere noted.

Volkswagen, for example, is planning to offer Bluetooth-enabled handset systems from Nokia that will be compatible with GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) phones, the company announced earlier this year. Drivers will be allowed to access the SIM (subscriber identity module) card in their mobile phones through steering wheel controls, voice dial or an external keyboard.

Mazda and other car manufactures that may consider offering the USB key feature will have to work out issues such as security, Csere said.

"They'll want to make sure that the information can't be copied and used to steal the car," he said. "With some radio-based ignition keys, thieves have set up receivers to steal the code and program a transmitter with the same code to steal the car."

Car manufacturers have since developed keys with rolling codes to make it more difficult to steal a car, Csere added.

[ordaj]

Brings new meaning to the phrase "car crash."

Downloading to the car's hard drive??? I didn't security mentioned anywhere.

[eeee]

good for publicitynow ; likely to appear later

Via the USB drive port I see drivers not only being able to start and drive but also to transfer their latest songs (and videos) to the hard drive for listening and viewing. Why not? Go for it.

[vox365]

USB to ignition = USB to car audio for starters...

USB from ignition to car audio system should be next, connecting and powering thru to the car radio - cellphone, handheld, laptop and any combination of these products. A fast, easy connect thru that USB port to the car audio system is what's needed now - whether it's USB or mini plug or any other type of adapter to connect 2-way between various mobile sources. The need exists today. Motorola's new cellphone now being readied for late '05 or early '06 delivery will have internet capability, and that alone is reason enough to warrant a "quick connect". Every car radio should now be outfitted with a USB port or a mini plug "in". Cheers to Mazda for kicking open another door where the technology is heading.