BMW motorcycle garage door opener is domestic bliss

Click above to watch a video of the this new garage door opener in action after the jump
If you haven't yet embraced modernity and installed an automatic garage door opener, you're in luck, as you may now be able to take advantage of a clever new sound-activated unit developed by an English motorcycle rider for his BMW. This unique device actually uses the bike's horn to transmit an audible signal to open and close the door. As you'll see in the demonstration video embedded after the jump, it's highly effective. Presumably, this technology could be adapted to work with any vehicle, though it is potentially expensive and temperamental.
Watch the full demonstration after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Robert!
[Source: Today's Big Thing]












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
elpyrodude 2:36PM (5/19/2009)
so.. can I just play this video on my phone outside his house and get into his garage?
Reply
Metar 4:48AM (5/20/2009)
Exactly what I thought... So everyone can honk the horn to open your garage? How is that safe?
And even then - how would the neighbours respond to a honk past midnight?
noodlz 2:34PM (5/19/2009)
Why is the garage door opener wearing clothes?
Reply
Will 7:13PM (5/19/2009)
Why don't you take a seat over there?
Yar 2:36PM (5/19/2009)
An optional add-on is the "Sandwich Maker" key fob kit.
Reply
Level 2:44PM (5/19/2009)
lol
Reply
efw 2:46PM (5/19/2009)
No wonder people by BMW's.
Oh wait..
Reply
dwightB 4:10PM (5/19/2009)
And if YOU are ever hoping to own one based solely on your grammatical skills... you lose.
BoxerFanatic 2:50PM (5/19/2009)
I heard a while back, of an alternate garage door opening device.
It hooks to the headlight circuit in some way, and by flashing the headlights 2 or 3 times triggers a universal garage door opener radio signal from the add-on device.
So it looks like you pull up and flash your lights on and off at the garage door, and it opens, but in actuality, a radio-signal, just like an interior mounted button transmitter would otherwise do, actually opens the door.
I would think, if such a device were compact enough, it could be wired to the "flash-to-pass" lead of a motorcycle, or the high-beam positive lead, or whatever, and work for a bike, by pulsing the flash to pass button, with the device buried under the fairing somewhere.
If said device is still available somewhere...
Reply
ibcr8iv 2:54PM (5/19/2009)
Here's what you're talking about: http://www.f2ptechnologies.com/
I've had one in my car for over 3 years with no issues. The system can be connected to any vehicle with 12V headlights- motorcycles included.
BoxerFanatic 3:37PM (5/19/2009)
Thanks. I'll bookmark that. I had forgotten the actual name.
Farris 4:00PM (5/19/2009)
Holy crap, that thing is 80 bucks??
All you need is a 12 volt relay (really cheap), the garage door opener (should already have it), and some soldering skills.
Tabajara Labs 2:04AM (5/20/2009)
I have it in my car since the 80's...
alfaBAT9 2:50PM (5/19/2009)
I was TOTALLY expecting a real piece of technology..
Reply
jjpg2000 3:05PM (5/19/2009)
Cool setup, but I think there might be some security problems. Does it work with any horn anytime? If so, any one wondering down the street honking the horn could activate it.
Thankfully the opened I have is operated by electricity, has less upkeep, and doesn't disturb the neighbors.
Reply
Ken 6:01PM (5/19/2009)
"Thankfully the opened I have is operated by electricity, has less upkeep, and doesn't disturb the neighbors."
Those are all downsides to this setup but then again the opener you have also won't do dishes or bring you a beer.
Stan Man 3:23PM (5/19/2009)
I married her Sister thinking she would do the same …… she must be defective.
When I honk she locks the deadbolts on the doors.
I had to hard wire a switch from a spare remote, so now all I have to do is roll into the driveway, reach down and push the switch on my left side cover. Presto the garage door opens.
Reply
tuna 3:43PM (5/19/2009)
Great... so anyone can open your garage and get at your loot... and possibly gain easier entry into your home. Brilliant.
Plus, aren't the headlight flasher/opener setups better and less annoying to the neighbors?
Reply
Ken 6:02PM (5/19/2009)
Only if your wife is blind an stupid.
tuna 6:06PM (5/19/2009)
And everyone that has a wife who stays home all the time? Your argument makes no sense.