Keys

Since taking its first product to Kickstarter eight years ago, Australian startup Orbitkey hasn’t been afraid to float some fresh ideas around how we carry our keys, and its latest offering continues on with this theme.

Billed as the "world’s smartest key holder," the KeySmart Pro integrates tracking technology along with a few extra bells and whistles. But is it worth the extra baggage?

​We've been seeing quite a few "smart" door locks lately, that allow users to lock and unlock their door using a smartphone. Perhaps you don't want to replace your existing locks, though? Well, Locky offers some smart-lock features, but it's used to augment an existing old-school key.

Key rings can be painfully fiddly things (especially for those of us without much fingernail to work with). A clever new quick-release solution might remove some of the friction, using a precisely engineered interlocking system to slide your keys on and off with ease.

Toyota has unveiled a new device aimed at allowing anyone to share their car. The Smart Key Box can be installed in a vehicle so as to provide access to people via their smartphones.

A new kind of smart key could help drivers make a very important decision not to drive when they've had too much to drink.

Already, drivers of cars with engine-start push buttons require nothing more than a Bluetooth key fob. Volvo, however, is taking things a step farther. Beginning this spring, some Volvo drivers will need nothing more than their smartphone to use their car.

There are plenty of systems that use an app-running smartphone instead of a key to unlock doors. A new app not only wants to do that, but wants to give you a seamless journey through buildings. myPORT provides building access, calls elevators and sends intercom feeds to your phone.

Growing tired of keys jangling around in his pockets while jogging, Charles Ng set about building a rudimentary clamp that bound them together. He is now selling his Orbitkey by the tens of thousands. We had a chat with Ng about how his take on the keyring unlocked serious start-up success.

Panny offers an alternative to keychains and keyrings. By carrying your keys in a plastic sleeve, your valuables are protected from being scratched and your pockets are saved from being torn. Panny can also be used to store other items, such as USB drives.

The KeyMe kisok allows you to store a digital version of your house key in the cloud from which a duplicate key can be cut on demand.

The BladeKey Bolt is designed to make carrying keys a painless process.