Owners of OnStar-equipped vehicles may shortly have a new trick to keep their car from being used by the bad guys out there.
OnStar, working with police departments, has developed a way in which the vehicle's power can be cut, thus reducing the chances of damage and/or injury. It's called "Stolen Vehicle Slowdown." An OnStar advisor "working with law enforcement" will send a signal to a subscriber's stolen vehicle to cut engine power. An instrument panel message will then flash "engine power is reduced."
"This technology will basically remove the control of the horsepower from the thief," OnStar President Chet Huber said...
"Everything else in the vehicle works. The steering works. The brakes work."
Full story here and here.
Here's Inside Line's take: OnStar's Latest Technology: Prevent a Stolen Car From Becoming "Instrument of Harm"
Full story here and here.
Here's Inside Line's take: OnStar's Latest Technology: Prevent a Stolen Car From Becoming "Instrument of Harm"
ateixeira says:
08:06 AM, 10/10/07
This is a bit Big Brother-ish, but if they can truly determine that it's a thief in the car, and not the owner enjoying a track event, then maybe...
stovt001 says:
09:07 AM, 10/10/07
Well there go my plans of using my 2010 Camaro as a getaway car. I guess I'll have to buy a Challenger then.
steve_ says:
09:42 AM, 10/10/07
Ex -wives and ex-husbands will have fun doing a bit of social engineering this one. Sounds good in theory, but there must be a lot of unseen consequences no one has thought through yet.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
10:12 AM, 10/10/07
This concept could be extended to other "non owners". For example, reducing vehicle power or altering driveline behavior for the owner's teenagers.
It definitely helps solve a theft problem, but opens a can of worms for other situations.
What if __you__ are the speeder in your own car and Law Enforcement contacts Onstar to have the power cut?
estreka says:
12:48 PM, 10/10/07
It's a good idea, but I thought GM could already cut power to it's onStar vehicles. It sure makes GM vehicles unattractive theft targets.
ewilfong says:
01:25 PM, 10/10/07
From the first article:
"Those who want OnStar but don't like police having the ability to slow down their car can opt out of the service, Huber said. But he said their research shows that 95 percent of subscribers would like that feature."
Police have been interested in engine-cutting devices for years, and this is the safest and easiest sounding implementation I've heard of. Great idea.
stovt001 says:
02:11 PM, 10/10/07
In all seriousness, its great so long as they allow you to opt out of it. Yes they say it will only be used if your car is stolen and you report it, but power like that is hard to self-limit and I can see this going much farther in the future.
r33 says:
04:27 AM, 10/11/07
and there goes you a little overspeed one day when you pass a copcar going the other way ,they think ..well why not ,push your number plate in the computer and send the code to put your engine down,and give you a ticket!
i now its suposed to be used only in case of robery but its very obvious thats this will turn the police the absolute power on the streets even when its not exactly nescessary.
and then imagine someone whith the wrong ideas putting their hands on this tec .
thieves taking you down on the street just cliking some code and stoping your car .