OnStar To Add Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Feature

General Motors OnStar (Image courtesy Overthetoplimo.com)GREAT IDEA, wonder if it’s better then LoJack

If you’ve never been in a vehicle that’s equipped with OnStar service you’re really missing out. Besides the obvious GPS and navigation features it also provides remote door unlocking (it happens to the best of us), emergency or accident assistance and can even email you monthly reports of your vehicle’s condition. Worse comes to worse it can also be used to locate a stolen vehicle, and will soon offer a new service that should help police avoid dangerous high speed pursuits as they attempt to recover your ride.

Known as ‘Stolen Vehicle Slowdown’ the new service will actually slowly reduce power to the engine of a stolen vehicle while it’s being pursued by police, gradually bringing the vehicle to a stop. Here’s a breakdown of how the system will work once the owner reports the stolen vehicle:

- Once the vehicle has been reported stolen to law enforcement, the subscriber can call OnStar and request Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance. OnStar will confirm the subscriber has not opted out of the Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service.
- OnStar will use real-time GPS technology to attempt to pinpoint the exact location of the stolen vehicle and provide this information to law enforcement to help them recover the vehicle.
- When law enforcement has established a clear line of sight of the stolen vehicle, law enforcement may request OnStar to slow it down remotely.
- Safeguards will be in place to ensure that the correct vehicle is slowed down.
- OnStar then sends a remote signal to the vehicle that interacts with the Powertrain system to reduce engine power which will slow the vehicle down gradually.

While there are plenty of people who won’t like that their vehicles can be controlled remotely like this, it’s actually a great idea when you think about how dangerous high speed pursuits can be. But for those still opposed it will be completely optional and you can expect to see it available on upcoming 2009 models.

[ OnStar ]

Written by Trend Spotter on October 9, 2007  |   No Comments

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Darth Vader Flashlight

Darth Vader Flashlight (Image courtesy Lillian Vernon)For you Star Wars Fans!

Hallowe’en is just around the corner and if your kids have chosen a Star Wars theme for their costumes this flashlight will fit right in. Made to look like a cute version of Darth Vader, the flashlight has a handle on the back with a button to pop-up his mask and reveal the actual light.

Be warned though, it also plays a series of Star Wars sound effects whenever the flashlight is turned on and there’s no volume controls or other way to turn them off. Kids will probably love it but I’m sure many parents won’t be quite as thrilled after listening to it all evening while out collecting candy.

Surprisingly though with the amount of Star Wars merchandise still on the market the Darth Vader Flashlight appears to be sold out, and no longer available. So once again you collectors will need to hit up eBay or Craigslist to hunt one down. (Or find a parent who’s more than willing to give you theirs.)

[ Darth Vader Flashlight ] VIA [ GeekAlerts ]

Written by Trend Spotter on October 9, 2007  |   No Comments

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