Sharp's cellphone prototype unlocks, starts your Nissan

In Japan, the hand can be used like a knife. Now, in another Japanese world's first (according to Nissan), you can use your mobile phone to open and start your car thanks to a new twist-up of Nissan Motors, NTT DoCoMo, and Sharp. The Sharp prototype cellphone pictured above integrates with Nissan's Intelligent Key system already fitted in various Nissan vehicles. Look for the device to be demonstrated on September 30th with the opening of the CEATEC Japan show. Hiiiiya!

[Thanks, Stop Spamming]

[Chad @ Sep 24th 2008 1:41AM]

cool!

[endGame @ Sep 24th 2008 1:34AM]

Um...this isn't a world's first.

In one of Top Gear's episodes this past season, James displayed a prototype car (forgot what it was) that used a Motorola Q to do everything on it, from opening doors, lights, and also starting up the car.

[norp @ Sep 24th 2008 2:08AM]

Maybe when they say "first" they mean "first phone to unlock a nissan"

I'm certain i've seen people that created software that used bluetooth and a homemade device in teh car to acheive the same thing.

[kev @ Sep 24th 2008 7:28AM]

No, but I suppose it would be a first if it's a cellphone that unlocks your car and can work as a debit system for purchases/at train stations (which I assume they'd include, or it'd be pretty useless compared to other phones there).

[Techie @ Sep 24th 2008 1:34AM]

Can you guys say Digital Hijack?

[mikesisgod @ Sep 24th 2008 12:06PM]

bluejacked!

[eggothewaffle @ Sep 24th 2008 1:39AM]

I came in here hoping to find a cell phone which can also be used as a knife :[

[Jon Nelson @ Sep 24th 2008 2:26AM]

I came here expecting to see a video of someone chopping an apple in half with their hand.

...Jerks.

[eggothewaffle @ Sep 24th 2008 2:27AM]

...Back to Gizmodo we go! :3

[Jon Nelson @ Sep 25th 2008 10:08PM]

Haha, the hell we do.

Even though I applied for Giz's SF Internship last week, Engadget will always be my #1 nerd blog.

[Almadi @ Sep 24th 2008 1:39AM]

So a missed call
will make the car stall
and not paying your mobile bill with cash
might cause the automobile to crash

*que authentic Japanese music*

[cromas @ Sep 24th 2008 1:44AM]

A poor idea
Hope your phone is not stolen
...

Ok so the haiku form fails. But seriously, not only is this a classic example of integrating features that just don't need to be integrated, but it's integrating features that are downright dangerous when integrated. Jacking my car as simple as stealing my phone? No thanks.

[sip @ Sep 24th 2008 2:05AM]

here cromas, i fixed it.

Really bad idea
hope your phone is not stolen
or low battery.

[BJ is Gooder @ Sep 24th 2008 2:06AM]

Jacking my car as easy as stealing my keys?! No thanks - I'll ride my bicycle.

[sip @ Sep 24th 2008 2:08AM]

aaaaaaaaaaaah i meant dead battery!

i'm going to go drown my un-editable sorrows with ice cream.

[AL @ Sep 24th 2008 2:45AM]

Uh, what's the diff? Isn't losing your phone no more or less of a problem than losing your keys? If this means one less thing to carry in your pocket, hey, I'll give it a whirl. At least if your car key is your phone, you can call it if you forget where you left it :-)

Of course, if the signal could be intercepted and replicated, then that would be different. But isn't that no different to the keyless entry systems we have today?

[jorvay @ Sep 24th 2008 9:23AM]

Yeah, I like this concept a lot. Keys are slim and fit nicely into pockets, but key fobs are fat, clunky things that take up a lot of room. Since most of us already carry cellphones, we could lose the key fob, keep the small key, and carry the cell phone just as we normally would.

Besides, if someone is stealing your phone, they are probably going to try to get your other stuff too, including keys.

[Phoenix @ Sep 24th 2008 1:04PM]

Can't it drive the car too? like in James Bond.

[Phoenix @ Sep 24th 2008 1:04PM]

That's a "why doesn't it" can't, not a "I think it does" can't

[Dandy @ Sep 24th 2008 3:55PM]

I do believe if anyone has seen it before you would be referring to Connect2Car with the MFC module. Check it out if you haven't heard about it before. It's been around since early 2007 and is pretty fantastic.
http://www.connect2car.com