Background

Performance Analytics, which delivers Enterprise Performance Management solutions for automotive dealers, sought to solve two major challenges that are faced within the automotive dealer industry:  reducing car theft by controlling the movement and possession of car keys, and increasing inventory turns.  These issues were of particular concern, as an overwhelming percentage of dealership theft is linked to employees. 

Performance Analytics came to Speck Design for assistance with the industrial and mechanical design of the KeyWhere Lock Box (KLB), an electronic key safe which hangs from the vehicle window like an old fashioned drive-in movie speaker.  Performance Analytics had built a simple proof-of-concept device, but needed to professionally design a robust product that could be manufactured.

Challenge

Performance Analytics had specific requirements for the KLB’s aesthetic appearance.  The box was to be visually pleasing and not detract from the vehicle itself, yet it was not to appear to be overly expensive.  Additionally, Performance Analytics required the following:

• A window-mounted box with electronic entry, which tracks the removal of keys, for example when used for a test drive.
• A solar cell to recharge the battery.
• Limit switches and light pipes for LEDs.
• Impact resistance to protect the product against falling off the car roof, rolling on asphalt, and significant force like that of a baseball bat.
• Weather and thermal resistance to protect the electronics.
• Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) card integration so the box can be opened by waving the RFID card in front of it.
• Manual access to the key (in the event of a dead battery or electronic failure).
• A simple interface.

Solution

Speck Design began the project by thoroughly discussing the intended use of the KLB, verifying the use model, and visiting dealers.   We created hand-shaped foam and plastic concept models to fully inform the client of the potential design directions.  These shapes were later modified and enlarged to accommodate the final electronics design.

We helped develop specifications for the product like weather resistance and the required “drop test” to measure shock vibration.  Speck Design worked on the detailed mechanical design of the KLB and incorporated materials that could endure the significant impact of attempted robbery, like the swing of a baseball bat or the prying open of the box with a screwdriver.

In order to simplify the training process around the RFID card, Speck Design recommended that the lock box have a card swiping card slot as well as an RFID reader.  Both were incorporated, because Speck Design recognized that many users were unfamiliar with RFID, and are accustomed to swiping their cards at the supermarket or inserting cards into a bank ATM.  The purpose of the card slot was to provide users with an interface they could easily understand, while also bringing the card in close proximity to the RFID reader.  In this way, no training would be necessary to use the RFID card.

The KLB used a Zigbee radio device instead of Wi-Fi to communicate with the dealer’s server, because the Zigbee uses much less power.  The Zigbee radio transmitted information to the car lot office pertaining to the amount of times the car is moved, the active sales person, and who is in possession of the keys.

Aesthetically, the lock box was designed to appear functional and strong yet not detract from the vehicle’s appearance.  In order to protect the car itself from damage, we designed rubber bumpers that were molded to the sides of the lock box.

Results

The solution is visually appealing, durable, and allows each sales person to have access to all vehicles in their designated lot.  The KLB also allows the dealer to keep track of the cars that are popular with potential customers to help determine which cars to order.  Through the KLB, the dealer knows about the activity of each sales person, for example which cars are being taken on a test drive.  By tracking the whereabouts of car keys and automatically alerting management of any missing or incorrect keys, the KLB also significantly helps reduce theft.

The KLB made its first appearance at a Bob Lewis Automotive dealership in Newark, CA.  Since then, the product has become hugely popular with those involved in the refurbished and used car market, and is used to track vehicles as they undergo the various phases of the refurbishing process.

PROJECT INFO

• Client:

  Performance Analytics

• Project:

  Electronic Car Key Safe

• Industry:

  Automotive