A few years back my motorbike was stolen. I can still remember the date 8th November 2003. It was about 10 o’clock at night and it affected me profoundly. In fact I can place several serious live changes to that moment. This includes the first time I ever broke down and unashamedly, openly sobbed.
As a result, I’m really quite liking what I’ve read about an immobiliser that’s controlled via text message, designed by an 18 year old Kenyan called Morris Mbetsa. According to Tech Radar the system, called ‘Block and Track’, allows a user to control a vehicle using a mobile.
A combination of voice, touch-tone key presses and SMS apparently ensures the car can effectively be authorised only by the owner. It will be cracked but hopefully not for a while.
Tech Radar has said:
When the ignition is started when the car is supposed to be locked, the vehicle rings the owner and he or she must punch in a code to allow it to start.
The system also can patch in to the car’s conversations, so if your hot-rod has been hot-wired you can hear the thieves laughing and congratulating one another.
What’s most impressive is that Morris has no formal training in technology and simply loves taking gadgets apart.
Oh I feel your pain, Rob. I even just went outside to make sure my beloved bike was still there! I like the idea of SMS-authorised ignition although it could become a bit of a pain on local runs… or if your phone battery runs flat… What's more interesting though is whether you could *shut down* the ignition by text remotely. The old tea-leaf might have to be pretty quick on the clutch if they were in the saddle. Now that could be satisfying!! (Note: I'm normally a very peaceful, non-violent person BUT mess with my Honda and, well…)
Why stop at that, after discarding the illegal rider, why not repeatedly discharge a spare ignition coil into the metalwork.
Or even better, text “endgame” to your bike to jam the throttle open!
Remember folks, don't touch my stuff 😉
Oh I feel your pain, Rob. I even just went outside to make sure my beloved bike was still there! I like the idea of SMS-authorised ignition although it could become a bit of a pain on local runs… or if your phone battery runs flat… What's more interesting though is whether you could *shut down* the ignition by text remotely. The old tea-leaf might have to be pretty quick on the clutch if they were in the saddle. Now that could be satisfying!! (Note: I'm normally a very peaceful, non-violent person BUT mess with my Honda and, well…)
Why stop at that, after discarding the illegal rider, why not repeatedly discharge a spare ignition coil into the metalwork.
Or even better, text “endgame” to your bike to jam the throttle open!
Remember folks, don't touch my stuff 😉
Oh I feel your pain, Rob. I even just went outside to make sure my beloved bike was still there! I like the idea of SMS-authorised ignition although it could become a bit of a pain on local runs… or if your phone battery runs flat… What's more interesting though is whether you could *shut down* the ignition by text remotely. The old tea-leaf might have to be pretty quick on the clutch if they were in the saddle. Now that could be satisfying!! (Note: I'm normally a very peaceful, non-violent person BUT mess with my Honda and, well…)
Why stop at that, after discarding the illegal rider, why not repeatedly discharge a spare ignition coil into the metalwork.
Or even better, text “endgame” to your bike to jam the throttle open!
Remember folks, don't touch my stuff 😉