Tech & Biz

Ford feature will let parents set limits for teens

by JeffHuang | October 6, 2008 at 08:36 am

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With the Model T turning 100 a few days back, the new cars by Ford shows how far we have advanced over the past 100 years. This new technology is called MyKey. The new features allow parents to limit teen drivers to 80 mph by using a computer chip in the key. They can also program the key to limit the audio system's volume and continuously alert the driver if seat belts aren't worn. Parent's also have the option to set a chime if the teen exceeds 45, 55, or 65 mph.

"Our message to parents is, hey, we are providing you some conditions to give your new drivers that may allow you to feel a little more comfortable in giving them the car more often," said Jim Buczkowski, Ford's director of electronic and electrical systems engineering.

The feature, called "MyKey," will be standard on an unspecified number of Ford models when the 2010 cars and trucks come out late next summer. The feature will spread to the entire Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup as models are updated, spokesman Wes Sherwood said.

In a few years, you might see these options on all manufacturers as speeding amongst teenagers is a huge problem and costing U.S. over $34 billion each year.

While Ford is the first mainstream carmaker to introduce such technology, it's won't likely be the last. Insurance firms may encourage self-limited for better rates someday, while lawmakers could even make it mandatory, at least on the manufacturers end of the equation.

Its life-saving potential alone may drive voluntary adoption, as speeding and crashes among teenagers are a huge problem, costing not only lives but as much as $3.4 billion each year as well.