According to its founder, Arturs Pumpurs, Earnest Car GPS device is "kind of virtual butler."
The project started as a way to protect vehicles with a Bluetooth 4.0-enabled device, which you can install by yourself. But it is recommended that the Ernest device be installed by professionals.
It's better to ask help from professionals when installing this device as the vehicle security system will keep fuel from getting into the engine unless it recognizes your device.
While other people can be allowed to use the vehicle, the privileges can be recalled anytime.
Ernest GPS device, like many vehicle-related devices and apps, will show you your car's location, including driving information like distance and speed. Also, it will guide you to your vehicle if you forgot where you parked it.
As for the garage doors and gates, the same secure Bluetooth-based sharing principle is applied. So, you need to have a second Ernest device that you will install in the gate or door panel itself and not in the vehicle.
Then, you need to connect the same Ernest app on your phone with the one which controls access to your car, and to the door device. And just like for car device, you can share and recall access to your garage or gate door.
One thing is sure, Ernest could make one person or family's life a bit easier, but it also can give you some security in the sharing economy. For example, if your vehicle and private garage are used by few people, you can know who used it when and how many miles were driven by each owner. So, you just need to set every user up with the app and give them access.
During the Kickstarter campaign that started on October 28 and runs through December 7, Car GPS device Ernest (without the immobilizer feature) costs starting at $59.
