Main content

Can I unlock my car using my head?

The range of a wireless key can apparently double when held against your head, rather just being held in your hand. Could this really be true, and if so why?

CrowdScience listener Doug has been experimenting with holding his wireless garage key to his chin. Why? Because he's testing a strange trick of physics.

The range of a key can apparently double when held against your head rather just being held in your hand. Could this really be true, and if so why?

Presenter Caroline Steel goes on a wavy journey of self-experimentation with antennas. She follows the story of Doug as he wanders the streets of Calgary in Alberta, Canada testing the key on his head from different distances and even testing it on his dog Maura’s head.

To understand the physics behind all this, Caroline meets Dr Lina Mohjazi, Lecturer of Autonomous Systems and Connectivity at the University of Glasgow and Guy Vandenbosch, Professor of Electromagnetic Radiation at KU Leuven University in Leuven, Belgium.

Presenter: Caroline Steel
Producer: Tom Bonnett
Editor: Ben Motley

(Photo: Hand holding a car key remote in front of a red car - stock photo Credit: vadishzainer via Getty Images)

Available now

26 minutes

Last on

Mon 23 Mar 202613:32GMT

Featured

  • .

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 Mar 202620:32GMT
  • Fri 20 Mar 202621:32GMT
  • Mon 23 Mar 202602:32GMT
  • Mon 23 Mar 202605:32GMT
  • Mon 23 Mar 202609:32GMT
  • Mon 23 Mar 202613:32GMT

Podcast