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Remote-controlled Bolts and Screws

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the long-distance-disassembly dept.

Winter writes "SMT Magazine has an article on intelligent fasteners (screws, bolts...) that can fasten themselves or by remote control. Usage for this seems mainly to make sure normal people cannot change parts in their car themselves, and only allow for authorized parts and service. Of course, a hacker might also have fun and disassemble the neighbours car."

17 of 318 comments (clear)

  1. Too much tech in cars already by slusich · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There's already way too much tech in our cars already. I love technology, but there are some places where it should be kept to a minimum. I long for the days when you could work on your own car with a decent socket set and a few wrenches.

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    1. Re:Too much tech in cars already by edrugtrader · · Score: 1, Interesting

      i long for the day when you never have to work on your car, because technology finds and fixes problems before they happen...

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    2. Re:Too much tech in cars already by Nagatzhul · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Now you know why a lot of people enjoy motorcycles. We get to work on our own rides while keeping things as simple as we want to. I am sure that there are segments of the car driving population that still adhere to this. The Manx or buggy folks, perhaps? Older 4X4s as well?

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    3. Re:Too much tech in cars already by Nagatzhul · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It isn't that..... Most non-HD mufflers come under 100dBs (which is a poor way to measure sound intensity, but that is another discussion). The Harley folks make them loud on purpose so you can hear them coming. Since those of you driving SUVs and talking while you are driving aren't paying much attention, can you really blame them? They can't dodge you like those who ride sport bikes can.

      I'm only being half sarcastic here. If there was demand for it, you could make them almost absolutely silent. The technology already exists, but when it was introduced a few years ago, the rider portion of the show boycotted the booth. They felt that being silent would make them invisible and thus even more ignored on the freeways.

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      "All I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power." - Ashleigh Brilliant
    4. Re:Too much tech in cars already by MasTRE · · Score: 2, Interesting

      > I long for the days when you could work on your own car with a decent socket set and a few wrenches.

      FYI: I have a 2000 Passat with a 1.8T engine and I can, within reason, work on a lot of it w/o having that many tools. As a matter of fact, I only have a 3/8" drive set I bought from Wal-Mart for $19.99 which includes wrench and sockets. I also have a metric allen key set (hex) that I bought for like $5, plus some pliers and screwdrivers. I haven't done a lot of work on the car, but I've replaced a few parts, a few hoses, removed my throttle body, etc. With a minimal investment in tools and elbow grease, I could probably take the whole car/engine apart. From what I read on the Passat boards I'm a member of, even the latest models, including those with a V6 engine, are pretty much the same in this respect. So, at least on my car, tech doesn't get in the way of self-serviceability.

      P.S. With a $300 software/hardware tool, I can map my RPM and many other parameters in real-time on my laptop, plus change/disable all sorts of OEM functionality, perform resets on different systems and get a full list of "codes" as to what the onboard computer (ECU) thinks about the health of my car. A very IT-friendly car, I would say.

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    5. Re:Too much tech in cars already by severoon · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Amen. I don't think I've heard anyone complain that they can't flush their own coolant anymore since cars went to 100k mile closed coolant systems. I used to be able to do it...and I used to HAVE to do it. Now I don't keep cars long enough to ever have to do it. That's alright by me.

      I would point out, though, that intelligent fasteners are not likely to make anything that is currently operable last longer...imagine if this were applied to the oil pan plug and oil filter. Do I have to take my car to the dealer and pay $80 for a $5 filter and 4 quarts of oil? That would totally piss me off, but I trust the free market to fix it...or the government.

      (Just kidding about that last one.)

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  2. Well by mfh · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Of course, a hacker might also have fun and disassemble the neighbours car...

    While it's moving, no less. Yet another brainless idea from the money-men.

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  3. Re:Cool! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Yeah, but can it dismantle stuff without touching it?

    On a related note, I wonder if a "Sonic Screwdriver" would be allowed through airport security. I know a leatherman certainly can't be in your carry-on luggage!

  4. Could have some interesting uses by YouHaveSnail · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The article cites labor costs as the main impetus for creating these self-fastening fasteners, but I think it's much more interesting to consider new applications.

    One thing about nuts and bolts is that in order to use them, you have to place them where you have access and enough clearance to be able to attach a tool. You couldn't use nuts and bolts to fasten two blocks together, for example, unless you have holes extending through at least one of the blocks. With these things, you can bolt two blocks together with no obvious access points, and you can unbolt them at any time.

    The benefits of totally blind fastening aren't completely obvious because we've worked out other solutions to the problem. Basically, we either weld things together, or we use some sort of snap-fit system, or we leave access holes if we might need to reverse the attachment. But I expect there will be some interesting applications for these things in the future.

  5. Reminds me of a Farrah Fawcett Film by corngrower · · Score: 1, Interesting
    Saturn 3 (I had to google up the name). Its about two people (played by Fawcett & Kirk Douglas) that are stationed on a remote research post. A disassembled robot (with a human brain) is sent to the station along with a specially selected trainer. The trainer puts the robot together and starts training it. Problems ensue with the robot so it is dismantled. The robot reassembles itself, Big problems.

    Farrah is really hot in this circa 1980 film.

    Anyway - the thought of these self fastening fasteners brought to mind this film.
    Saturn 3

  6. What happens when.. by CodeTRap · · Score: 2, Interesting

    your car get's hit by lightning?
    You have to boost another car and get the wires mixed up?
    Some guy like me comes along with a localized EMP generator?

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    CodeTrap (www.codetrap.net)
  7. Anyone seen the IRON GIANT? by dslknowitall · · Score: 2, Interesting

    All I could think about was the screw in the movie rolling around and beeping when I read this :) Can't wait for this to come into being, and then the inevitable experation period when your car falls apart after 60k miles.

  8. Oh the fun one could have! by TyrranzzX · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Now nerds can screw over bullies cars even easier than ever! I can just see it now.

    *Nerd presses a few buttons, cars tires flatten and fall off, engine and components fall into a heap, seats, chairs, and straps fall down off of the interior, car trunk pops open and then flings off.*

    Needless to say, whoever thought up this was is a fuckin moron. Why the HELL would I trade my screwdriver's torque for a couple small magnets?

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  9. I Promise to Hack Only for Good by FFFish · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...like when that little shit with the subwoofers goes blaring past my windows at 2AM. Goddamn, will it feel good to press the "disassemble" button on my remote control!

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  10. Marketing Cracker Design : New Criminal Code? by strangedays · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Brings a whole new meaning to End Of Life doesnt it when the bolts on your wheels unlock themselves, maybe cos you pass a hotspot, or a repair dealer with a cash flow problem.

    I think we need some laws that make it illegal to build a devices intended to prevent, the repair or alteration of the product offered for sale. Designing and making any device to remotely controlled by anyone other than the owner, should be jail time for the seller, the company CXO's and owners, do not pass go, do not collect marketing award.

    I am old enough to remeber taking cars to bits for fun and profit (or was it girls... Yeah!)

    How are kids gonna do that if they have to buy BOLT.EXE from Frod Rolloversoft for $15,000. As other posters noted, this particular idea is way beyond stupid, mechanically. However... the business model that gives rise to the idea needs to be made illegal.

    Its time to define into law a few mechanical and software reverse engineering maintenance, and alteration, rights and privileges.

    Isn't this also a matter of national security? We are going to look really stupid if we cant maintain simple mechanical devices and systems in any future era, where our dealer infrastructure and InfraDaft Boltware companies are smoking holes in the ground.

    Some things need to be fixable with simple tools, fast, in nasty places.

    I would support unpleasant consequences for any product designer that infringes that mandate. Did they stop teaching basic humanitarian and business ethics in design schools or something?

    In the interim, punish companies that produce such trends in products by supporting a gratuitous existence failure in their sales. Do not buy the products. I like the Golgafrinchan solution. Sod all political correctness for a farce, dump all the morons, make em somebody elses problem.

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  11. Stupidest idea I've heard in a long time! by TofuDog · · Score: 2, Interesting

    No doubt there are applications for -sensors- on fasteners (can you say "MD-83 jack screws"?), but suggesting that nuts and bolts install themselves sounds idiotic. How does a microprocessor go about delivering 100 ft-lbs. of force - or 20 in-lbs for that matter, more efficiently than a WRENCH? Sounds like justification for bad engineering - in fact I've owned cars designed with these principles, e.g., "the engine has to be raised to replace the exhaust head-pipe," or "every accesory must be removed to reach the water pump." -Now design can suck and magic bolts can be the excuse. Awesome!

  12. fuck this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I changed the battery on my car without using a memory keeper, and now the radio won't work unless I can somehow find the magic 5 digit code. It's my radio. I didn't steal it. It's not a password I set, like with my computer. It's simply not working, unless I can pay the dealer 85 dollars to recode the radio. What a crock of shit.

    Imagine what these bolts will do if you change your battery. THey'll lock themselves and then when your belt breaks and you need to loosen the doohickey to get the thingamijiggar out of the way to put the new belt on you'll have to pay the dealer 85.00 dollars to recode the bolts. Fuck that.