Abstract: A vehicle ignition key includes a shank portion securely attached to a grip portion including a housing with an exterior housing surface. An actuation switch includes a switch contact surface complementary with the exterior housing surface, and is electrically coupled with a digital message controller and a power source. The housing defines a chamber which can hold the digital message controller, the power source, and/or a message generator. The message generator can transmit a message from the digital message controller. Actuation of the actuation switch upon rotation of the ignition key in the ignition switch is facilitated by the complementary surfaces, and initiates processing of stored data and transmission of the digitized data from the digital message controller to the message generator.

Abstract: A message-generating motor vehicle ignition key comprises a key portion for coupling with an ignition switch and a grip portion for grasping by an operator of the motor vehicle. The grip portion comprises a housing defining at least one chamber therein, a controller having a processor, memory, and associated operational components received in the at least one chamber, a battery received in the at least one chamber, electrically coupled with the controller, and supplying the controller with power to operate the controller, and a message generator received in the at least one chamber and electrically coupled with the controller to receive a signal from the controller. Data can be stored in the memory and processed by the processor into a signal delivered to the message generator to generate a spoken message.