10-06-08: Technology is a double-edge sword. On one hand we have the capability now to do all those things our parents saw in Star Trek and we saw in Star Wars. Depending on your age, Ford’s latest venture into tapping that technology might be good or bad news. Interestingly so, it could be both.
The Blue Oval announced their new MyKey system which will allow parents to limit their teen's abilities and electronically force better driving behavior behind the wheel by simply handing a special car key to them.
To debut next year as standard equipment on the 2010 Focus coupe and to become standard on many other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, MyKey allows owners to program a key that can limit the vehicle's top speed to 80mph and keep audio volume to a lower level. MyKey also demands safety-belt usage by muting the stereo until the buckle is clicked. The system also provides earlier low-fuel warnings and can be programmed to sound chimes at 45, 55 and 65 miles per hour.
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Yes we all complain about the growing Nanny State that our country is becoming but many people seem to like this idea when it comes to their cars and their kids. Ford’s studies indicate that 75% of parents of teen drivers like the speed-limiting feature. About 50 percent of those who would consider purchasing MyKey also said they would allow their children to use the family vehicle more often if it were equipped with the new technology.
While parents like this new idea, you can imagine that teenagers hate it. You would be right but when told that this feature might allow them more access to a family car than usual they saw the wisdom. Teens surveyed said they are largely open to MyKey if it means they will have more freedom to drive, with only 36 percent objecting to the technology under that premise.
So, while this new feature debuts with the Focus, imagine how it will play in a new Mustang. You have a Mustang GT or even a GT-500 in the garage but may be unwilling to hand over the keys to your 17-year old son for a night out. Consider that you can limit the top speed, limit radio volume, and force seat belt wearing and you might be more likely to let your kid live the dream.
The technology is not all that new, but represents a new direction in software. When the MyKey is inserted into the ignition, the system reads the transponder chip in the key and immediately identifies the MyKey code, which enables certain default driving modes, including:
* Persistent Seat Belt minder with audio mute. The chime continues at the regular interval and the audio system is muted until the safety belt is buckled. A message center display "Buckle Up to Unmute Radio" also appears on the instrument cluster. Wicked.
* Earlier low-fuel warning. Rather than a warning at 50 miles to empty, MyKey provides a warning at 75 miles to empty.
* Limited top speed of 80 mph
* Traction control system, that limits tire spin, cannot be deactivated
* Limited audio volume to 44 percent of total volume
* A speed alert chime at 45, 55 or 65 mph
Yes it sucks if you are 17, but if it allows you more seat time in Dad’s GT-500 it has to be a fair trade off right? Time will tell.
