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Why Do House Keys Still Exist

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by Kevin Maney
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Feb 25 2008 12:00am EDT

Why Do House Keys Still Exist?

The physical house key seems like an artifact that innovation forgot. Hardly anyone sticks a jagged piece of metal into a matching slot to get into their cars anymore. In most modern office buildings, you get through doors and gates using a plastic card. Same with hotel rooms. Out in suburbia, people get into their garages by pushing a button on a remote-control door opener.

So it's really kind of weird that almost every front door on every home and apartment is outfitted with an old-fashioned physical key. Companies, such as Amesbury Group, are popping up to try to change that. But it's a slow, slow change. Any ideas why?

Maybe NTT's new invention can make a house door that opens when its owner puts his or her hand on the doorknob.

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