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Ford's new MyKey will help parents slow their teens down on the roads and "turn down that noise".  (Source: Ford)
New key makes sure teens don't emulate Joe Walsh's driving habits

Usually when you think high-tech and cars, you think luxury or performance.  However, a new technology from Ford is built on quite an opposite line of thinking -- slowing down.

A common fear among parents for decades has been that they might give the car keys to their kid only to have the kid pump up the stereo and put the pedal to the medal and lose control of the car.  The possibility of saying "bye bye" to the new family car is enough for many parents to say "bye bye" to the possibility of their teen borrowing the new family car.

However, a new technology from Ford may offer a cure for worry warts.  Ford is introducing MyKey technology in the 2010 Ford Focus Coupe aimed at pedal-happy teens.  The technology will quickly spread to all of Ford's product line.  The new technology is a special car key which limits the vehicle's functionality, allowing parents to hand over the car keys with less concern.

With the MyKey in the ignition, the car's top speed is limited to 80 mph and/or the stereo is limited to 44 percent of the maximum volume.  Parents can set or unset these options, based on how responsible they think their young drivers are.  With the key parents can also enable a sustain chime which will go off if the driver or passengers aren't using their seatbelts.

Even teens are begrudgingly warming up to the new idea.  When surveyed, 67 percent of teens didn't like "the man" sticking it to their driving rights.  However, when the teens were informed that the system would increase the frequency that their parents lent them their car, all but 36 percent got behind the idea.

For Ford, the new technology was relatively easy to implement as it uses off-the-shelf tech from within the company.  For the new system, Ford adapted its SecuriLock tech, used in car-theft deterrence, which recognizes which key is in the ignition and adjusts the allowed vehicle operation accordingly.

The MyKey system is packed with even more functionality, also allowing traction control to be permanently enabled and enabling warning chimes to go off when the car reaches 45, 55 or 65 mph.

Teens and others may find the technology a bit Big Brother-esque, but at least with this new system kids will get access to a new set of wheels complete with Ford's hot SYNC technology -- so they shouldn't have too much to complain about.

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Those pesky teens
By Fronzbot on 10/6/2008 1:41:27 PM , Rating: 4
We all know only teenagers drive irresponsibly. Seriously, when was the last time you saw a mid-30s woman yapping on her cell phone with music blaring, weaving in and out of traffic on a packed highway on your way to work that day? I'll tell you when: never.




RE: Those pesky teens
By SavagePotato on 10/6/2008 1:44:19 PM , Rating: 3
Like the man said above, despite my rather silly comment, technology that jams cell phones when the vehicle is in motion would really be great, and quite possible.


RE: Those pesky teens
By MrBlastman on 10/6/2008 3:34:51 PM , Rating: 4
It is not only possible - it has already been done. For 500.00 of cash you too can get your own portable jammer.

Or... for about 125.00 of your own money, you can make your own! There are plans out there... There's even a PCB layout to send off to a fab.

However, it is illegal. It sure would be useful on airplanes, buses or the subway.


RE: Those pesky teens
By walk2k on 10/6/2008 5:19:54 PM , Rating: 4
That sounds like a good idea until you think about it - which would be worse, a person talking on their phone, or a person looking down at the receiver wondering why their call just got cut off and trying to redial/etc/etc...


RE: Those pesky teens
By inighthawki on 10/6/2008 6:19:34 PM , Rating: 2
True in the specific case he presented, it may be an issue, but if it became a standard where you were unable to use a cell phone from inside a moving vehicle or, if possible from the driver seat, then it would immediately discourage people from even trying to make the calls in the first place.


RE: Those pesky teens
By ikkeman2 on 10/7/2008 9:22:38 AM , Rating: 5
what about the poeple on the side of the road, trying to reach 911 to report the accident?
so every car in the vicinity has to stop moving before we can contact EMT??

Just try to better the world by your own example - stop calling.


RE: Those pesky teens
By PrinceGaz on 10/7/2008 2:49:09 PM , Rating: 2
These jammers have a very limited range at the best of times, and being inside the largely metal shell of the car would considerably reduce its effect outside of the car.

I imagine the jammer would radiate from somewhere like the steering column and have an effective range of at least 1 metre in excellent reception locations (the hardest to block) to ensure the driver can't make calls. Step outside the car on the passenger's side and walk a meter or two beyond the back of the car and the jammer's signal would be so weak as to have no effect in all but the very weakest reception areas (and then you'd just have to walk a few metres further to a point where the jammer's signal is so weak as to be negligible).

It would be safer for jammers to be mandatory than for drivers to continue to make calls.


RE: Those pesky teens
By deeznuts on 10/7/2008 4:37:38 PM , Rating: 3
Too bad you can't get a call from your child in an emergency if you're driving!


RE: Those pesky teens
By xsilver on 10/6/2008 5:58:29 PM , Rating: 2
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.11510

A lot cheaper than $500

However I too think they are illegal in the USA?

There was a portable battery powered version but I cant seem to find it anymore. Heard it was great for pranks on trains etc when you just want a quiet ride home.


RE: Those pesky teens
By xsilver on 10/6/2008 6:17:26 PM , Rating: 1
oh i found the battery powered version but its $140

Actually I have a more responsible idea about cell phone use.
When entering the car, it mandates that you connect the bluetooth handsfree before taking off.
If you wanted to take it one step further, the car could also help you screen your calls; but that is a bit too big brother for me.

Or maybe some form of this is a good idea?
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1305
Self policing initially of course!


RE: Those pesky teens
By Aarnando on 10/7/2008 8:56:00 AM , Rating: 2
Lenny: Hey look, Homer's got one of those robot cars.
[Car crashes]
Carl: Yeah, one of those American robot cars.

Instead of limiting the tasks we are able to perform while driving, let's get to work on robot car technology so we can increase the freedom to perform alternate tasks while driving!


RE: Those pesky teens
By xsilver on 10/7/2008 10:13:59 AM , Rating: 2
well the latest merc s class has adaptive cruise control + unsafe lane changing tech (automatically keeps you in your lane)

basically the only thing that needs to be added is electronic checkpoints at traffic lights and stop signs; combine that with gps and bingo, self driving car.

Why isnt it done yet?
I would think:
1) too slow (for safety purposes)
2) too boring (some people actually like driving)
3) liability issues (if you have a crash, can you legitimately blame it on the computer?)
4) Education, other drivers would need to be able to correctly predict how a robot car is going to behave, if it differs from normal human conceptions, could be a cause for concern.


RE: Those pesky teens
By ikkeman2 on 10/7/2008 9:24:46 AM , Rating: 2
what about a self deactivating phone. It's quite easy for an mobile to determine if it's moving, and how fast. anything above 10mph - it stops


RE: Those pesky teens
By Moishe on 10/7/2008 3:50:04 PM , Rating: 2
Now if you're IN a car... and need to make a call... no can do.

Fact is, we have great tech that helps people and does cool stuff. Lets not figure out how to mess that up. let's figure out how to get our cake and eat it too.

There is no reason why we shouldn't be able to communicate outside of a car while you're riding/driving.


RE: Those pesky teens
By ebakke on 10/6/2008 3:52:23 PM , Rating: 3
I would give ... ok, well I wouldn't give anything, but I'd be thrilled if someone made this happen.


RE: Those pesky teens
By FITCamaro on 10/6/2008 1:47:45 PM , Rating: 5
So as a husband, give your wife one of these keys as well.

I'm definitely in favor of this. I would love to have cell phone blocking technology in cars too.


RE: Those pesky teens
By clovell on 10/6/2008 1:54:30 PM , Rating: 2
> I would love to have cell phone blocking technology in cars too.

As long as it's not in my car. =P


RE: Those pesky teens
By Souka on 10/6/2008 3:24:26 PM , Rating: 2
How about hand sensors? You must keep two hands on steering wheel...10 and 2 position...or car will slow down.

:)

Like the other features, this can be disabled by the parent...just to cover all the one armed/handed teens driving today...


RE: Those pesky teens
By Runiteshark on 10/6/2008 3:30:26 PM , Rating: 2
Thats a great idea, everyone will be forced to slow down when they are changing gears in their manual transmission cars, myself included.

I drive pretty well with one hand, when I actually have to make turns that require a bit of attention, I use 2.


RE: Those pesky teens
By Souka on 10/6