Toyota's concept car rats out speeders to the police [priv]

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Politech: Toyota Concept Car Rats You Out to Speed-Trap Cameras
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 12:32:07 -0700
From: Jed S. Baer <thag () frii com>
Organization: heap
To: declan () well com

Hi Declan.

Related to the thread on RLC cameras, here's something from the Sydney
Morning Herald
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/26/1077676900598.html (Via Fark)

Disputing a speed-camera fine could soon be a thing of the past. Today,
Toyota will unveil a car that takes away the guesswork when it comes to
identifying the leadfoot in the family.

Finding the rightful recipient of the ticket could be as simple as sliding
in a mobile phone-style SIM-card instead of a key. The card would contain
details of the driver's licence and address.

Wireless technology would allow the car to communicate with the speed
camera, and the fine could be deducted from the driver's credit card
before he or she even made it home. But would anyone buy such a car?

At the moment, NSW law requires motorists who dispute a speed-camera fine
to sign a statutory declaration that the driver was not the registered
owner. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some motorists "share" their
points with family members who may be reaching their demerit points limit.

There would be no such loophole with the Sportivo Coupe - if it were to be
sold in showrooms. It is what the industry refers to as a concept car - a
design tease for the Melbourne Motor Show, which opens today.

But its telematics systems are no trivial matter, according to the project
manager, Paul Beranger.

"Telematics are going to be a part of our future, whether we like it or
not," he said.

The smart card would not only open the doors for an authorised driver, but
also set an individual's driving position, favourite radio stations and
phone numbers.

Depending on the driver's experience and grade of licence, the card could
control the engine power. And each driver's licence number could be
displayed on the car's exterior instead of a number- plate.

As well, the car's electronic speedometer relies on signals from speed
advisory signs to display the speed limit inside the car. The speedo dial
reconfigures itself so that the prevailing limit sits at the easy-to-read
12 o'clock position.

jed
--
http://s88369986.onlinehome.us/freedomsight/

... it is poor civic hygiene to install technologies that could someday
facilitate a police state. -- Bruce Schneier

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