Mazda Ditches Cylinder Locks in Favor of USB Key
 

Bring it!

http://www.everythingusb.com/mazda_sassou.html

ummm Mazda is way beyond that...the 2006 RX-8 is using a keyless entry and startup system ala Corvette and the like

just aproach car and open...then sit in car and press the 'Start' button

USB is old school :p

The 06 mx-5 is the same way...I want to drive it again!

I'm waiting in line for my 06 rx8...

However, this ofers some cool features, including:

Transferring maps between the car and a computer another car.
Transferring mp3's between the car and a computer another car.
Transferring other settings between the car and a computer another car.

There is promise in this idea, but perhaps not this implementation.

:-D

BTW, nothing is really quite confirmed(colors, perhaps) on the 06 rx8 yet...or has DB and ZM not posted something to the official thread yet?

I don't think I like the USB startup. There would be quite a few people who like to reverse engineer that. I see a few cars walkin off with minimal effort...but maybe not.

wait... so the 06 rx8's have a start button?

'06 MazdaSpeed 6 as well (whenever they finally come out........)

Yeah...it's on my list...I have a bad habit of changing cars every 1-2 years and this one looks like it should be interesting.

Mazda to replace key with USB Pendrive?
 

http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/1757

Sounds kinda cool. I just wish they would have done this for the enormous 05' RX8 key.

there is anotehr thread on it posted in the electronics section. but thank you for posting it here where it should be. ill merge the threads

Transferring a virus the USB key picked up into your car ecu. :(

I don't know about this, hackers will easily be able to crack into this and 1000's of cars will be stolen. I say they should just do what Mercedes does. You just have to hold it and it has to be with you say like in your pocket in able to hit the start button for it to work. With this "USB" key, I am sure there will be tons of hackers cheering for this to come out.

Absolutely retarded if you ask me to use a USB flash drive for something as important as accessing your car. I've lost count of how many USB flash drives I've had just suddenly go dead on me for no reason. Imagine that happening with your car keys. :rolleyes: Not to mention such a purely electronic device would not stand up to environmental abuse as a pair of normal metal car keys (dropping, getting wet, etc). This is just taking gimmicky to the extreme.