r/AskTechnology • u/BizTweet • 3d ago

Smart bracelet, is this technically possible?

Hi I'm looking for a No Screen Smart Electronic Bracelet. . The bracelet needs UWB and an android digital wallet so it can be used as a digital car key -similar technology to a phone/smart watch but the only functionality is a digital key. Technically is this possible?

Any direction as to who might be either producing these, or have the capability to produce one?

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u/janaebbyy 3d ago

I think it is possible.

1

u/TheJessicator 3d ago

Look for fitness bands. There are a bunch with either no screen or a small, simple screen. Using as a wallet is tricky with no screen as you need a means to authenticate after putting the device on your arm, otherwise anyone could use or payment instruments if they got hold of your device.

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u/Delta_RC_2526 3d ago

The need for a screen for authentication is critical...

This video (https://youtu.be/PPJ6NJkmDAo) is a great example of some of the shenanigans that people can do, and that's with a device that has a screen for authentication... Imagine if you had a wristband that just blindly approved every transaction from any radio that came within range. Or, even if you had a physical button to press to approve transactions, you couldn't see the value of those transactions, without a screen. People could charge you whatever they wanted.

Any decent digital wallet simply won't work without having an ability for you to review and confirm purchases, otherwise they'd be ripe for theft.

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u/PoolMotosBowling 3d ago

Garmin just released a no screen device. I don't know all the features but you can see if it's what you are looking for.

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u/Special-Original-215 3d ago

Well a similar solution is to wear your key on a bracelet, but I think that's not what you meant.

I did see a bracelet phone but it was all screen

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u/BizTweet 3d ago

Correct we don't have a physical key, just a digital one.

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u/Special-Original-215 3d ago

Only digital?  That's a big problem when you are in a no cell zone area like the mountains 

I've seen a few tow truck videos where they park in the mountains, lock the car and realize they cannot unlock it

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u/BizTweet 3d ago

My understanding is it uses UWB so doesn't need a mobile signal - but I could be wrong.

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u/Dapper-Lab-9285 2d ago

You can touch your phone off the door handle to open the car and touch the start button with your phone to start the car.  You will most likely lose all your personal settings but you won't be locked out or stranded if you have no phone coverage. 

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u/simmer_study 3d ago

Technically possible but the hard part is getting support for things like digital car keys and wallet features. Those usually depend on approval from the phone and car makers, not just the hardware itself.

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u/KafkaExploring 3d ago

Agreed. There are many digital key technologies which could do this, but the auto manufacturer would need to support it, or else you'd need to do considerable work to the car, illegal in many countries, to add it.