This was stated about the key: "Folded into the base is a mechanical backup key, a flat metal blade in a hinged housing."

I own a BYD: this is not true. The key is not hinged; rather, the entire mechanical key pulls out when a small clip is unlatched near the top of the assembly (you can see it in the CT). I assume the circular hinge-looking mechanism in the CT is just a by product of the plastic/metal weld process.

Nonetheless: very cool tech demo!

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pimlottc 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Having a mechanical key hidden in the electronic key fob is nothing new, it’s common on many cars.

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zakisaad 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I guess my intent was not to point out that it has a mechanical key, rather that the description of the key on the webpage was wrong (it is not hinged).

The mechanical key fallback pattern is standard across the industry for sure.

	▲	defrost 2 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		It's entirely possible that the BYD key they scanned and the BYD key you possess are of different designs.
	▲	pimlottc an hour ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Ah, I misread your earlier revision's enthusiasm at the end as being about the mechanical key, not the CT scan.

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phinnaeus 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I remember playing with my parent's VW key fob as a fidget toy in the 00s. Little spring loaded switchblade style mechanical key.

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cwbriscoe 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

My 2015 Honda had that and my new car does as well.

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aidenn0 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

And yet my Hyundai key fob, despite being the largest fob I've ever seen doesn't do this :/

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al_borland an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

I wasn’t surprised by the backup key, but rather by how empty it was. I really wish key fobs were smaller. They are quite bulky in a pocket and bigger than all my actual keys combined.