What is the technology used for SKS?

I don't know the technical details, but it is essentially the same technology as used in credit card chips; RFID. There is one sensor in the car that queries passing fobs for the correct ID code. It controls car functions; start up, open doors, etc. through the car's computer.

Cost is a factor in why some cars have it and some don't, but I think it is more used as a carrot for upselling trims and options at this point.

As for why the Model 3 (this is in the Tesla forum) doesn't have it, that is because the fob needs a battery to send the ID code to the car. Without that, the chip has to be really close, as in a credit card reader. Without a battery the Model 3 key can be stored in a wallet, and those batteries do pose a risk to the environment and public health.

If you want SKS function for the Model 3, you can pair a smart phone with bluetooth to the car to act as a SKS fob. The Bolt might also have this option.

 

I don't know the system used in the Prius but RFID chips come in different varieties. There are the low powered ones and the high powered ones like they use in you Ipass or EZ pass that will work at long distances.

Radio-frequency identification - Wikipedia

 

I had a vehicle that used a similar system 20 year ago. The FOBs were passive in that you didn't need to hit any buttons because they were always transmitting. The next generation dropped this system in favor of a more conventional push button FOB. On the early version you just needed to have the FOB because it was transmitting at a low level all the time. The later versions required the push of a button to transmit.

Curiously the stated reason for the change was better security. The only time you could intercept the signal on the later version was when a button was pushed. The early version was always beaming a signal and this was deemed a security risk.

 

someone here 'craig'? installed 3 door sks in a one door system. there was a lot of wiring and antennae installation involved. it was a pretty big diy job.

sks also requires a larger 12v battery.

 

i know it hasn't always been RFID or even RF. in the early 90's, Honda used infrared light (like your TV remote) for the key-less entry system on their civic SiR.

i actually like this system more b.c it's harder to interrupt/hijack the signal.

 

That's a remote keyless system; you have to push a button.

Smart Keyless System, including whatever the other brands call it, are passive; you don't need to take it out of your pocket. That is the complaint about the Model 3's key card; it has to take it out of your pocket to open the car door. Tesla did this because they figured the majority would link their phone to the car to act as a SKS fob, and the key card is cheaper. Plus, getting rid of the battery bypasses the environmental and public health issues of it.

 

SKS is awesome. Security concerns aside, not needing to EVER take the FOB out of your pocket/purse is a great feature. I never knew how much I'd like it till I had it.

My old car with a similar system required a key for starting so you still needed to get the key out of your pocket. This is not nearly as convenient because you were still fumbling around in your pocket/purse looking for the key.

With Toyota's SKS, entry and starting is all done with the FOB still in your pocket. I can't overstate how handy this is when you are carrying something like groceries. It is especially awesome in the cold when you have gloves on your hands.

One time my wife was looking in her purse to find the Camry FOB and I said " Why? Just take your purse and don't worry about it. As long as the FOB is somewhere in the purse you can do everything you need to do." She said "Oh yeah!" and went on her way without ever actually finding the FOB. I don't know how many of you are married but let me tell you that finding things in a purse can be a big deal...

 

Patents may be in play.
Ford's were the only cars with a keypad lock for years because they held the patent.

 

Maybe the only more intuutive would be the Model X's fob. You don't even have to TOUCH the door. The fob & the X see e/other aproaching from about 10', & the drivers' door then automatically opens as you approach. It sees WHICH fob was nearing the door, & prepares to come out of "exit" mode (steering wheel retracted & seat backed up) automatically readjusting mirrors/lumbar/headrest/seats/steering wheel for that fob's user as soon as you enter & step on the brake. Car sees the fob in driver's possession & drivers foot on brake, & driver's door automatically closes & locks.
No on/off button - with driver/fob in position, just shift to 'R' or 'F'

Fancy fob w/ stupid overkill.
If all of that's not ridiculous enough, the fob can forward or reverse summon the car, from up to 75' away.... so if you're to dang lazy to walk up to it ... fob it.
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Yell yea - that's the 'stupid' part of stupid overkill ... ya gotta hit
the trunk button & carfully sneek up from the other side.
That works almost ½ the time

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and this kind of intelligence will be driving our cars?

 

A mere 10% improvement better than human interaction is all it takes to be consideted a decent improvement, & that's not much of an improvement. But owners are tickled pink with that, so what are ya gonna do. Just like the 2004 sks in the prius .... yesterday's wow factor becomes the standard of today.
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On the Prius, (this is PriusChat) there is powered and un-powered RFID in the fob. If t.he battery dies and you hold the fob to the Power button, that is the white strip inside the fob, un-powered RFID.

 

Yep ... & on the older Pri - you could simply plug the fob right into the dash. That was not only way cool, it was extremely convenient in the event of a dead fob battery. Oh for the bygone days.

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Yeah, stupid me! I asked the salesman where the slot was on the dash of the Gen 4 when I went to go get it. He told me Toyota took the slot out starting on the Gen 3.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.