A customer asked me if there is a way to use an access control keyfob to enable/disable ignition on a vehicle.
Does anyone know of such hardware? In theory it seams simple being that that a relay can do it, but the problem is integrating with a access control system.
Thank you
Is this for something like enabling a group of employees to have access to a company vehicle, and being able to grant/revoke that access dynamically?
Yes. They have a fleet of corporate vehicles and they want to control who has access to driving it.
There are simpler ways to do this, rather than modifying the vehicle wiring with a reader or some other add that may void the vehicle warranty.
Keeping the ignition key inside of a key management lockbox is one method. You use your access card to get to the stock key.
Is that an option here?
That may work, Ill ask them about it. Are there any of these that integrate with a standard access control system (so they dont need to modify permissions, in two places)?
Thank you
In many cases, you integrate the enclosure with an access system and controller from a host system where credentials/PINs are shared.
This keybox system, just as an example, has a driver integration with Lenel.
Other smaller units may be nothing more than a bolt installed in a metal enclosure that integrates directly with your furnished controller/ reader. Knox makes units like this.
Hey if you're stuck with two systems that don't communicate, I can help by creating middleware that sits between the two for complete bidirectional integration. Cards would be managed by the access system and events sent from the key system into the access history DB.
Another type that definitely integrates with existing ACS is Traka.
http://www.traka.com/en-US/site/traka-usa/usa-integrations/
Key interlock boxes can indeed integrate with AC systems and they are great products with a pretty long history. Manufacturers include Morris Watchman, Traka, Key Systems, inc; but they are rather pricey ($4000 or more each depending on how they are configured). I don't recommend tampering with the vehicle at all; problems will be more than you can bite off: install issues, costly, liability, ongoing cost for new cars in the fleet, etc, etc. Control the keys not the car....
I spoke with the customer, the problem is that their vehicles get parked all over town. And the person who drops it off my not be the one to pick it up. So while they may not need it tied directly into the ignition, they would need a mobile lockbox that can be in the car.
This application reminds me of a discussion I had in Europe a few years back. Involved an emerging EU compliance requirement for fleet management, i.e. track vehicles, drivers, location, as well as vehicle attributes. Here's a few addresses pulled from the archives:
http://www.lambdacom.hu/en
http://www.webeyetelematics.eu/
These are a couple of providers of this as a managed service:
https://www.fastfleet.net/
http://www.fleetshare.com/index.cfm
How much per vehicle is your customer willing to pay?
Cool. Do the research and give him options. Who and how does the key change ownership?
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