Subdermal Keys

The Prius SKS fob is too large and requires a replaceable battery. Your idea is good, but the technology of the Prius isn't up to the task. Wait for some sort of longer range RFID device, which will allow a small implant with no power source.

Tom

 

Duct Tape...

 

I suppose we could make a suppository fob case...

Tom

 

:earlease!!! We're already getting to look like "The Borg" with people wearing those damn cell phones in their ears. "Beam me up Scotty"

 

I have seen keyless entry systems that use RFID receivers, but a Prius-esque smart key is not yet feasible. Look into the systems used in car-sharing businesses HowStuffWorks "How Car Sharing Works" These are usually accessed by a type of RFID card, but could be made to work with an implanted glass-tag.

 

I bet you could buy one of those Crown Hybrid watches and have it programmed to your Prius.

 

A google search for "implanted rfid" turns up a number of sites talking about exactly this. The website at Amal Graafstra's RFID page is dedicated to hobbyist use of rfid. The guy who runs it has two implants, and uses them to unlock his car and house.

There are a number of other possibilities short of an implant. You could use something like a Garmin Forerunner 405 as a wristwatch. It communicates with a computer via an ANT radio connection, about 5 feet max. The serial number of the watch could be used as identification. Any Bluetooth device, such as a cell phone (or even the wireless headset) could be used as identification.

The actual electronics inside a keyfob are quite a bit smaller than the keyfob. You could take apart a keyfob, and repackage the electronics in something smaller.

Some Ford vehicles have keypads on the driver's door for keyless access. There's probably some aftermarket equivalent that could be used.

The TapLock device (TAPLOCK.COM) uses taps on the windshield as a code to unlock the doors.

 

The battery wouldn't be a problem for an implant if you use the right technology. Our bodies produce plenty of energy to power our key fobs, we just have to harness that power. Either tap into the electrical energy our bodies produce or probably the more likely technology would be what a group of German scientists are developing to convert our bodies heat into electrical energy. Not sure that the necessary technology for that is practical or even available yet, but would be the way to go with an implant.

A far better idea for an implant though would be to ditch the Toyota SKS system all together and just cut into the wiring that powers on the car, unlocks the doors, etc and install a device that reads RFID implants like they use on dogs, you just hold your arm or whatever up to the windshield or wherever you mount the scanner (like vets use for dogs to scan for an RFID) and if it picks up a code you program into it that matches the ID you have implated it unlocks, same for inside to start maybe? I think thats the only practical way of doing it though, because an RFID does not require power, it uses the radio waves coming from the scanner to send a very small signal back. Much better idea, all you'd really need to do is have a device built to do what you need it to so it will unlock and allow the car to turn on and cut/splice it in.

 

You have multiple issues here.

1) placing a device non-sterilized under the skin. (huge risk of infection)
2) if you could sterilize heat is out as it could damage components. Gas sterilization might not be efective since there are no smooth surfaces on the electronics and they would probably be damaged in the process.
3) Size. Placing it on the inside of your arm would not really be a huge challege, but everytime you bumped it, it would hurt. You would have to suture it in place as it would be likely to migrate over time.
4) You would have to get a physician to place.

The idea on its own seems a little on the freaky side until you think it is not as far-fetched as you think. After all we are already putting computer chips in our pets and some children for identification.

I think where you might head from hear is the remote start aftermarket. Valet, Cobra etc. might be a little interested in this idea. It is several years down the road before it is a viable alternative. For now listen to your wife. Patent your idea before you talk to any companies.

Best of luck.

 

just a few typos

 

UHHHHHH.......

 

There are actually RFID tags that are encased in glass beads, the same type that are used to "tag" pets / livestock. Being totally hermetically sealed inside the glass vials, makes sterilization simple and insertion a breeze. There was actually a Mythbusters episode that showed the entire process of having an RFID chip implanted; Keri Byron was the "lucky" recipient of the implant, and commented that she couldn't even tell it was there. Not only can it be done, it is being done currently, I have seen DIY versions of the keyless entry system cobbled together by inventive individuals. As a matter of fact, I actually have an RFID reader and 10 of the glass-bead "tags", but I personally had no intention of implanting them into my body.

 

I see another problem with RFID. Following the theory that the best crooks are always a step ahead of the best cops, somebody with a hidden RFID scanner could gather a great deal of sensitive data in a very short time, just sitting in the mall reading the paper.

 

Not precisely on topic, but I installed this on my front-door to avoid having to pull out my keys. I'm spoiled by my Prius SKS

 

go for it. and post pics.