Many criminals today have tools to evade capture, and now tech companies are doing their best to help law enforcement catch up. License-reading cameras, infrared lights, GPS tracking, enhanced communications, and WMD sensors are just a few of the ways that cops are helping to get criminals, but law-breakers are constantly adapting their methods. Popular Mechanics analyzed all the new technology that is helping the good guys catch the bad guys, and they've come up with a list of the most cop-friendly gadgets. You can check them out after the jump.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
1. Carbon Motors E7: A custom police cruiser option with bullet-proof panels and dash, WMD sensors, all the latest cameras, and more.
2. Project54 Voice Command System: It's SYNC for police vehicles, with voice commands for pursuit, radar detection, and license checks.
3. Automatic License Check Cameras: This pricey piece scans every license it passes, helping police find hit and run drivers, wanted men, and Amber alerts.
4. StarChase GPS Launcher: Its shoots a GPS-enabled projectile at the bad guys, which sticks to the vehicle and helps cops track it down.
5. Rumbler Intersection Clearing System: It uses eight-inch subwoofers to create enough base to notify drivers around the patrol car that they need to get out of the way.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
priusguy @ Nov 17th 2007 4:07PM
I think #3 could be a big one for police. Imagine a cop driving scanning the plates of cars he is driving behind. In near real-time, his computer will alert him to which cars are stolen, which ones have expired tags, and who has arrest warrants. The cop can then pick and choose who he *feels* like pulling over. It will save police alot of time and could let them focus in on the more serious violators. Pretty neat, but this also means you had better have your tags up to date.
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Chill @ Dec 2nd 2007 5:50PM
There is a LED based system that may even better than the StarChase System. Check-out the following website:
http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=36
Andrew @ Nov 17th 2007 4:35PM
the rumbler - how do we differentiate between police cruisers and cars that are thumping rap? =D
taipeileviathan @ Nov 17th 2007 4:38PM
... wait what?? WMD sensors?? why couldn't they have had these before the g*dd*mn iraq war???
Quattrofan @ Nov 17th 2007 5:05PM
Aww, shucks. Lake Tahoe is already a Police State, too many agencies with too much money and too much equipment. If only I see them pulling over $60K Lexus SUV from Bay Area, instead its always a pickup truck of some poor working sap.
mattypape @ Nov 17th 2007 6:15PM
Police here in UK have had #3 for like 5 years or more now, its a similar system for some toll roads and london congestion charge.
On one god police tv shows set around city of sheffield where it follows them in there daily rounds they find (using the special cameras) that something like 1 in 4 cars has invalid tax and 1 in 10 not insured and they never stop them as they say there is just so many people breaking the laws. lol.
#5 is a good idea, wonder if they got the idea from fast and the furious (dont know which one) where the car gets zapped with that big tazer like thing.
len simpson @ Nov 17th 2007 7:45PM
whatever happened to the ECM killer ? Hot pursuit should never be used except from the air. read the tag & catchem later.
DKB_SATX @ Nov 17th 2007 8:27PM
re: the "Rumbler"... low frequencies (and some of the instruments that produce them) in music are often referred to as "bass", "base" is the bottom or foundation of things, or a military installation.
robotrock @ Nov 17th 2007 9:39PM
base or bass....
paul34 @ Nov 17th 2007 10:08PM
All your base are belong to us!
AZ @ Nov 17th 2007 11:26PM
I have a question, if Rumbler has enough bass to "notify drivers around the patrol car that they need to get out of the way". How does the cop in the car feel?
Mr.Kaiser @ Nov 18th 2007 12:21AM
Base != Low Frequency
Bass == Low Frequency
Stephen @ Nov 18th 2007 4:15AM
Nothing says police state like being tracked with a government assigned number.
Vlad Balan @ Nov 18th 2007 11:03AM
#4 is more like Bond movie stuff.
cowboy bob @ Nov 18th 2007 12:16PM
#5 won't help me. I'm already deaf from the jerks with the rapmobiles
GT @ Nov 18th 2007 4:29PM
now all you need is:
-a built-in taser
-a built-in semi or fully automatic (you know, to blow those tires out meaning no more endangering officers trying to throw a spike strip, etc)
EMC @ Nov 18th 2007 6:49PM
Huh? what is with number #5?
Don't you guys have sirens?
o_O
Alicea Pohler @ Nov 26th 2007 10:55PM
Check out this new police car gadget!!!!
http://www.runawayhook.com/index.html