ITS61403 Project: Key-Less - AI Solution for Automotive Industry

This project, titled "Key-Less", presents an AI-driven solution for the automotive industry, aiming to improve and replace existing keyless entry systems. The project focuses on leveraging Near Field Communication (NFC) technology integrated with AI algorithms to transform smartphones into vehicle key fobs, eliminating the need for traditional smart keys. It addresses several problems associated with current keyless systems, including misplacement, security vulnerabilities, accidental lockouts, and limitations of remote access features. The solution proposes an NFC-enabled system that allows users to lock/unlock, start the vehicle, and control various functions remotely via their smartphones, even without cellular data. The project covers architectural overviews, technology used, and the potential impact of this innovative system on the automotive industry. The project also explores the economic viability and future evolution of Key-Less, positioning it as a realistic application for commercial purposes.

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
Project 2
Project 2 (30%)
A world where technology helps solve the
toughest problems
ITS61403 / ITS 63804
Artificial Intelligence (AI) -
Instructions to students: Complete this cover sheet and attach it to your project – this
should be your first page.

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
2

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................5
2.0 Vision and Mission............................................................................................................6
2.1 Vision......................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Mission...................................................................................................................................6
3.0 Problems..........................................................................................................................7
3.1 Misplacement of Car Key Fob..................................................................................................8
3.2 Elimination of the Car Key Fob................................................................................................9
3.3 Security Issues with Current Car Key Fobs.............................................................................10
3.4 Accidental Locking of Car Key Fob in the Vehicle...................................................................11
3.5 issues with Current Generation of Car Key Fobs....................................................................12
4.0 Application of Key-Less ..................................................................................................13
4.1 Solution to Key-Less..............................................................................................................14
4.2 Technology of Key-Less Solution...........................................................................................15
5.0 Impact of Key-Less..........................................................................................................16
5.1 How Key-Less Works.............................................................................................................17
6.0 Key-Less technically and Economically Viable................................................................18
6.1 Key-Less for the Future.........................................................................................................19
7.0 Key-Less as a realistic application for Commercial Purposes..........................................20
7.1 Future Evolution of Key-Less.................................................................................................21
7.2 Key-Less as a Potential to Solve an Underlying Problems......................................................22
8.0 Architectural overview...................................................................................................23
8.1 Evolution of Key-Less............................................................................................................24
8.2 Interfaces Enabling Extensions (SDKs and APIs)....................................................................25
9.0 Technology and Resource Used to Develop the Solution ...............................................26
9.1 Platforms Key-Less Will Be Deployed On...............................................................................27
10.0 Key-Less is the Future of the Automotive Industry ......................................................28
11.0 Key-Less Prototype.......................................................................................................29
12.0 Bibliography.................................................................................................................31
.................................................................................................................................................
..................................…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 31
3

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
·1.0 Introduction
In this era of globalization, technology as we know it has been advancing at very a high pace.
Nowadays, companies in all sorts of industries can make use of these technologies to their
advantage to conduct their businesses from training purposes to enhancing their own
products with the use of technology. But the main manufacturing industry that we are
focusing on, is a combination of the automotive and computing industry with the help or
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and Machine Learning (M.L.).
Car manufacturers nowadays are implementing the use of technology in its vehicles to
enhance the user’s experience. Such technologies include Infotainment Systems with built-in
Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) and selected route navigation systems, Parking Assist,
Blind Spot Monitoring, Personal Assistance Safety Services, Advanced Keyless Entry
Systems and many more.
The topic that we are focusing on is more towards Advanced Keyless Entry Systems for
vehicles. We feel that the technology with Advanced Keyless Entry System is still flawed
and can be improved on greatly. We also feel that this technology has not reached its full
potential yet and can be greatly improved on. Hence, we have created our company, Key-
Less. Key-Less is more of a software rather than an application. We will be able to improve
Advanced Keyless Entry Systems by incorporating the use of Near Field Communications
(N.F.C.) with the help of AI algorithms.
NFC is a set of communication protocols that enable two electronic devices, one of which is
usually a portable device such as a smartphone, to establish communication by bringing them
close to each other. NFC in our point of view is very underrated and can be used extensively
to improve on the use of Advanced Keyless Entry for vehicles. NFC-enabled devices can act
as the electronic key fob for the vehicle.
The main objective of Key-Less is to be able to transform any NFC-enabled smartphones
into the vehicle’s key fob. By doing this, we are able to eliminate the use of the smart key
fob and just replace it with an NFC-enabled smartphone that almost everyone in the world
has access to. This is also made possible as most smartphones these days have some sort or
Artificial Intelligence Algorithm integrated into the Operating System of these smartphones.
4

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
·2.0 Vision and Mission
l壱2.1 Vision
At Key-Less, our vision is to make the everyday lives for drivers simpler and more
convenient. This can be achieved by the use of an already existing technology (NFC) in most
smartphones and be able to eliminate the vehicle’s key fob altogether.
l壱2.2 Mission
Key-Less aims to be able to eliminate another device that was purposed just for drivers to be
able to lock/unlock and starting a vehicle. Key-Less is able to do this by integrating the
technology of the key fob directly into an NFC-enabled smartphone, thus eliminating the
need for a physical key fob.
5

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
·3.0 Problems
Advanced Keyless Entry Systems is no doubt a more convenient and easy way for drivers to
gain access to their vehicle, but this system is quite flawed and is actually very easy for
hackers to be able to bypass all layers of security and be able to gain access to the vehicle
they are targeting. Advanced Keyless Entry Systems was first developed by Siemens in 1995
and introduced by German luxury automobile manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz, under the name
of “key-less Go” in the year 1998 in their flagship W220 S-Class model. And ever since
then, even after almost 20 years, the technology for this Advanced Keyless Entry Systems
remains mostly unchanged in terms of the amount of security and technology the key fob
offers. Advanced Keyless Entry Systems in this time and age, it also has a lot of
disadvantages to using it. This is one of the main problems that Key-Less plans to solve in
the near future.
6

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
l壱3.1 Misplacement of Car Key Fob
One of the issues Key-Less aims to solve is the with the misplacement of the car key fob. On
most luxury vehicles, out in the market today, they mostly come equipped with Advanced
Keyless Entry Systems. How this works is, in that in the vehicle itself, and electronic lock
that is present that controls the access to the vehicle without using a traditional mechanical
key. In order for the Keyless entry to work, usually the driver has to be in a certain range
(usually 5 meters – 20 meters) from the car for the keyless entry system to be able to unlock
the vehicle and grant access to the driver. But if the driver has misplaced the key fob, then
the driver would not be able to gain access to the vehicle. Their only option is to either call a
bonded locksmith, which would cost them a lot of money or to go home to get their spare car
key fob. This itself is a real disadvantage of the current technology for the Advanced Keyless
Entry Systems. It will also pose as an inconvenience to the driver and will leave the driver
and potential passengers stranded. And if the driver wants to replace that misplaced car key
fob, they would have to either go back to the car dealer or a bonded locksmith to have them
reprogram another key fob for the vehicle which can be very costly.
7

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
l壱3.2 Elimination of the Car Key Fob
Another issue that Key-Less aims to solve is to be able to eliminate the car key fob all
together. These key fobs that are designed by all car manufacturer only serve the purpose to
lock, unlock and start the vehicle. We at Key-Less think that these car key fobs should be a
thing of the past. If we think about it, it is a little redundant for the need of the car key fob
anyways as it only serves a very limited purpose. Key-Less plans to eliminate the key fob
altogether so make the drivers life more convenient. Also, we would be able to eliminate the
risk factor of the driver ever losing the car key fob.
8

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
l壱3.3 Security Issues with Current Car Key Fobs
The next issue that Key-Less hope to solve is with the hackings of the smart key fob. For
years, vehicle owners have with this Advanced Keyless Entry System installed on their
vehicles have reported witnessing thieves approaching their vehicles with a mysterious
electronic device and effortlessly disarming the alarm and allows for the thieves to gain entry
to the vehicle. When in range, these thieves with their mysterious electronic device are able
to amplify the signal from the car key fob from wherever the driver is. For instance, the
owner of the vehicle is in the house while their car is parked in front of their house in the
driveway. Granted that the car key fob is not in operational range for the vehicle to detect the
key fob and unlock the doors, but these thieves are able to amplify the signal of the car key
fob, thus being able to trick the vehicle to thinking that the car key fob is within range and
unlocks the vehicle to allow for access by these thieves. The radio connections between the
car key fob and the vehicle can be easily extended over several hundred meters, regardless of
whether the original car key fob is, for example, at home or in the pockets of the vehicle’s
owner. These means of amplification attacks have been reported as early as the year 2011.
9

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
l壱3.4 Accidental Locking of Car Key Fob in the Vehicle
Another problem that Key-Less aims to solve is the accidental locking of the vehicle with the
car key fob still within the vehicle. This is actually a major problem that most drivers have
faced where they have locked themselves out of their own vehicle. This will render the driver
stranded and is a big hassle to the driver. The only solution for the driver here is to either call
a bonded locksmith to unlock the car doors which will take, time and won’t be cheap. The
second option for the driver is to go home to get their spare keys to be able to open the
vehicle’s door. Key-Less is well aware of some vehicles that will sense that the car key fob is
in the vehicle and won’t lock itself. But Key-Less still considers this a problem because this
security feature is only present on high end luxury vehicles. Key-Less will be able to bring
this as a standard feature to any vehicle no matter the price gap.
10

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
l壱3.5 issues with Current Generation of Car Key Fobs
Another problem that Key-Less plans to solve is with the current technology that is offered
to some vehicles nowadays via online, such as remote unlocking from mobile devices and
such. But this technology still requires the use of a mobile data service and has to be online
for it to work. Key-Less will be able to improve on an existing idea by allowing the user to
control the vehicle even without cellular data services, thus offline remote control of the
vehicle. By going offline, security will not be so easily compromised.
11

Artificial Intelligence
ITS63804
2
·4.0 Application of Key-Less
Key-Less is a software that is designed to improve on an existing technology that is used
widely by all automotive makers and aims to look at an existing problem in a new way to be
able to make it better. Also, Key-Less feels that NFC in most smartphones nowadays are
very underrated and not used to its fullest potential. These days, NFC is becoming pretty
common thanks to the growth of online payment systems like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay,
Google Pay and lastly Android Pay. NFC is a very common feature on most smartphones on
the market, especially when it comes to high-end devices and even many mid-rangers. But
Key-Less plans to make use of NFC as its primary communication method between an NFC-
enabled smartphone and an NFC-enabled vehicle for the purposes of 100% keyless
experience for drivers to interact with their vehicle for the means of locking and unlocking,
remote starting of the vehicle, remote climate control and even be able to change the vehicles
settings all through a smartphone. Passive NFC devices include tags, and other small
transmitters, that can send information to other NFC devices without the need for a power
source of their own. However, they don’t really process any information sent from other
sources, and can’t connect to other passive components. This will ensure that Key-Less is
secure and the odds of Key-Less being hacked is very low. This in turn will have the owner
of the vehicle to have a peace of mind knowing that their vehicle is as secure as can be.
12