Final Design

Executive Summary

The Tebra lockbox is a RFID proof (radio-frequency identification), portable lock box designed for outdoor enthusiasts, primarily surfers and beachgoers. When surfers go out to the beach, they often lock their keys and fobs away in lockboxes, and subsequently attach the lockbox to the car door handle. However, lockboxes on the market do not offer protection against RFID signals to prevent key fobs and keys from interacting with and opening the car. Tebra provides a lockbox that is unique, elegant, and compact.

The final product encompasses many features attractive to an everyday user. Most importantly, not only does it provide strength against theft, but also is very compact and user friendly at 3” X 6” X 1.5”. For comparison, an Iphone 8 Plus is 3.07” X 6.24” X 0.30”. The Tebra lockbox also offers users with an adjustable handle, a 2-layer shell design, an eight-button changeable button combination mechanism, and an outer coating.

The handle locks in place to the desired length when the lockbox is closed, but is adjustable to up to 20 cm (7.87 inches). After one opes the lockbox with their desired 10-digit code, the handle is adjustable with the notches provided for the handle. The length of the handle ranges from 150 cm to 350 cm, which gives a wide range of options for the user to latch on to the car (over the mirror, any of the handles, or one of the rims). The inside of the box is optimized for use of the adjustable handle, and for keys/key-fobs to fit inside. Moreover, the inside the box incorporates an upper right slot, which allows the user to simply remove the cable (and not remove their previously adjusted length if they so choose) for an easier user experience. The inner shell is continuous metal, in order to block radio frequencies. The locking mechanism has ten buttons, and the lever allows the user to reset the buttons and change the code, if they’d like. Lastly, the outer shell is composed of metal, but also has a rubber coating such that it prevents scratching various parts of the car.

Initial Project Objectives

High Priority Objectives

- RFID blocking material
- Reliable locking mechanism with at least 6 buttons.
- Programmable lock

Adjustable handle for so the lock can go over the car door handle, car side mirror and over the rim of the wheel.

Lower Priority Objectives

- Break-Resistant outer shell (specifically for hammer, screwdriver or lever/folkrom arm)
- Large Space for Bundle Keys
- Overall compact and aesthetic design
- Cut resistant handle wire (specifically for bolt cutters, wire cutters and pliers)

The Jacobs School of Engineering team delivered on the objectives desired from the sponsors from the Rady School of Management. Tebra is a local startup created by a group of students at the Rady School of Management at UCSD. Their vision first starts with a lockbox, primarily designed for smart car keys and

targeting outdoor sport fans. Our team delivered a product design that is fully functionable, and incorporated the highest priority deliverables that the sponsors wanted to include: an adjustable handle, RFID-blocking, and a button locking mechanism. Overall, the product can be functional, and separates from competition on the market. With this design, it provides an attractive, user-centered design while giving surfers the opportunity for a stress-free session of surfing the next time they go to the beach.

Current Project Objectives - Amidst COVID-19

Since COVID-19, our course has mainly stayed the same, with a few exceptions. They have shifted course based on investor feedback and interest:

A working prototype with:

- RFID-proof
- Button lock mechanism with at least 8 buttons
  - Programmable lock
- Adjustable handle so the lockbox can go over the car door handle, car side mirror and/or over the rim of the wheel.
  - handle should also be removable
- Large Space for Bundle Keys

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