Ford tested the key – for Transit and Transit Custom vans – to ensure it could survive being submerged underwater for 30 minutes, dropped 50 times onto a concrete floor and exposed to temperatures from 60oC to – 20oC.
The new fob looks like a traditional key, with a keypad to lock the vehicle and a flip-style key blade. However, it is permanently sealed shut for water-proofing, with the two halves of the plastic housing joined by friction welding. The inside of the key is designed to resist typical workplace impacts, and a rechargeable battery cell is charged whenever the key is placed in the ignition, to ensure it never runs out of charge.
Engineers also tested the key using using climatic chambers in temperatures simulating a variety of conditions from desert heat to arctic cold, and in humidity levels of up to 100%. Further tests included ensuring:
- Dust resistance – five hours surrounded by a fine, penetrating dust
- Chemical resistance – up to 96 hours continuous exposure to diesel, petrol, ethanol, detergents and sweat
- Pocket simulation – four hours non-stop vibration with coins and other keys
- Button durability – 10 button presses with 12 times the usual force
The shockproof key is the latest generation of a design which has been refined and developed with 10 years of feedback from Transit customers.