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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."

8 of 318 comments (clear)

  1. Cool! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I always wanted a universal tool that could work like the Sonic Screwdriver from Dr. Who!

  2. I've had this forever by Anonymous+Crowhead · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Hey server monkey, come tighten these screws!"

  3. 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 TYC · · Score: 5, Insightful
      The Harley folks make them loud on purpose so you can hear them coming.

      I've had Harley riders insist that this is the reason why they have to have the "Look at me! I'm an attention whore!" straight pipes while cruising in residential neighborhoods; yet even while watching them come and listening for them, I never hear them from very far away. You can always hear them as they roar by, and as they rumble off, though. I think the whole "hear them coming" excuse is a crock.

      One of these same Harley riders insisted, during the very same conversation when I asked him about the mental rider fatigue all that extra noise must put him through, that he never hears his own pipes while cruising. "Hmm..." I asked him, "How can you hear them coming if you can't even hear them from 3 feet away?" "The wind carries the sound away before it gets to my ears" was the answer.

      They felt that being silent would make them invisible and thus even more ignored on the freeways.

      I've found that quiet bikes are much easier to stay alert on, especially in routine rides such as to work and back, and also as the miles add up on long road trips, and that's a far bigger safety factor in this world of sound-insulated luxury cars and SUVs. Most anyone with their windows up won't hear you anyway, unless you're riding with a half dozen others with straight pipes.

      I don't bitch about straight pipe riders much, but I don't have a positive opinion of them, either.

      They can't dodge you like those who ride sport bikes can.

      They can if they're alert, competent riders.

  4. Obligatory Clippy Joke by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "I see you are trying to install a screw. Would you like to install a screwdriver?"

  5. Government by TheSexican · · Score: 5, Funny

    If the government gets their hands on these, then we're all screwed!

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  6. What we really need by Johnny+Fusion · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sure remote-controlled fasteners for cars and such is really nifty...

    But wake me up when they get remote-controlled brassiers. You will know its true love when she trusts you with the remote...

    --
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  7. Re:Bring 'em on (no thanks) by nyrk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What happens a few years around the road when a little corosion sets in, and the little motor attached to the screw can no longer back it out. If you took advantage of the fact that it does not need access how do you remove it when the mechanism fails? I work on my vehicles, and often have to use a cheater bar to gain leverage on stubborn bolt. You would have to throw away the whole car, Starting to sound like "Brave New World"