Engineering a connected lock box to restrict vehicle key access and combat drunk driving.
A hardware and software solution for enhanced road safety.
Category
Hardware Development, Software Development
Industry
Safety
Year
2022
The Challenge
Drunk driving is an issue affecting road safety worldwide. Existing solutions often rely on intervention after the fact or personal responsibility alone, leaving a gap for proactive technological measures to prevent impaired individuals from even starting their vehicles.
The task was to create a reliable, tamper-resistant physical device that could securely store vehicle keys. It needed to intelligently grant access only when appropriate, effectively acting as a gatekeeper before a driver gets behind the wheel, demanding a blend of robust hardware and smart software control.
The Approach
We focused on developing a secure, durable lock box through hardware engineering and extensive prototyping, ensuring it could withstand tampering and integrate smoothly into various vehicle environments. Precision CAD design was employed to refine every component for usability and manufacturability.
Simultaneously, we developed the software core, enabling secure communication between the lock box and a user’s smartphone via cellular and WiFi. This allowed for straightforward setup, management, and defined emergency access protocols through a user-friendly interface. Recognizing the novelty of this integrated approach, we successfully navigated the patent process.
The Result
A tangible tool for drunk driving prevention.
The project resulted in a patented vehicle safety device that uses connectivity to manage key access. By combining durable hardware with smart software controls, the lock box provides a practical, proactive measure aimed at preventing drunk driving incidents before they happen, contributing a new technological tool to the effort for safer roads.