Police test hi-tech zapper that could end car chases

The Guardian [UK] ^ | July 12, 2004 | Ian Sample, science correspondent

[aculeus]

A hi-tech device that can bring speeding cars to a halt at the flick of a switch is set to become the latest weapon in the fight against crime.

Police forces in Britain and the US have ordered tests of the new system that delivers a blast of radio waves powerful enough to knock out vital engine electronics, making the targeted vehicle stall and slowly come to a stop.

David Giri, who left his position as a physics professor at the University of California in Berkeley to set up a company called ProTech, is developing a radio wave vehicle-stopping system for the US marine corps and the Los Angeles police department.

Tomorrow, at the Euroem 2004 science conference in Germany, Dr Giri will describe recent trials of the device. The tests proved that the system could stop vehicles from up to 50 metres away.

The bulk of the device is designed to fit in a car boot and consists of a battery and a bank of capacitors that can store an electrical charge. Flicking a switch on the dashboard sends a burst of electricity into an antenna mounted on the roof of the car. The antenna then produces a narrow beam of intense radio waves that is directed at the vehicle ahead.

When the radio waves hit the targeted car, they induce surges of electricity in its electronics, upsetting the fuel injection and engine firing signals. "It works on most cars built in the past 10 years, because their engines are controlled by computer chips," said Dr Giri. "If we can disrupt the computer, we can stop the car." A prototype is due to be ready by next summer.

The Association of Chief Police Officers confirmed that researchers at the Home Office's police scientific development branch are testing a radio wave vehicle-stopping system. "There's a potential to use this type of device to stop criminals on the road. High speed pursuits are very dangerous, especially in built-up areas," said an association spokesman.

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

[Nataku X]

Al Qaeda will have a wonderful time causing 500-car pileups at the Autobahn with a remote control.

[demlosers]

Someone will sell a radio shielding kit to defeat this.

[smonk]

law enforcement had a wheeled rocket sled sort of device that
would shoot out from under the pursuing vehicle to under
the target vehicle. once there, it would knock out the
same electrical systems with a huge electrical shot applied
to the frame of the car.

it was abandoned, though, because a speeding car without
these critical electrical systems -- steering and brakes,
for example -- was impossible to control, and thus became
an unguided missle . . . . . the cure was worse than the
disease.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

How much can John Edwards collect when they stop someones pacemaker?

[Gordian Blade]

I used to work with Dr. David Giri on Electromagnetic Pulse testing (EMP) back in the day.

[reagan_fanatic]

I'll bet there was a huge puddle of drool at Edward's feet when he thought of that.

[nofatum]

Maybe they ought to bring back the fleeing felon law and just shot the idiot that runs and places everyones life in danger.

A 4000 lbs vehicle is a deadly weapon and should be treated as such.

[narses]

An EMP gun, yeehaw!

[Looking4Truth]

57 Chevy Panel Truck and 85 HD Softtail Custom. Rotsa' ruck on my vehicles.

[Kackikat]

Hot Pursuit has always been a dangerous undertaking. A woman was killed here a few years back while they chased a drunk driver...that is so ridiculous. WHY would anyone chase a drunk driver...just take tag number and go to their house and arrest them. Yes they are a danger, but why make sure they kill someone.

I don't know what the solution is, but it isn't always a high speed chase. More innocents die in these chases than criminals, check the statistics.

[Nowhere Man]

Time to shield the car's electronics in a Faraday shield. Either that or buy a 1965 Mercury Park Lane with a Breezaway style roof. B-) A 1959 DeSoto looks quite nice too. B-P

[punster]

"I used to work with Dr. David Giri on Electromagnetic Pulse testing (EMP) back in the day."

EMP is the principle, for sure.

[hatfieldmccoy]

I was thinking an RPG solution. Geez just think about it lets say oh three maybe four fried homeboys and the stolen car problem is cut in half... Hey I can dream can't I?

[diamond6]

Cool!

[diamond6]

If this device fails, then it's Bush's fault.

[irishsoldier]

"I was thinking an RPG solution" I bet its cheaper than the hi tech gun



IRISH

[SeattleNeedsHelp]

Different technology, same market -

Ionatron Inc. is a privately held development stage company that has developed and tested a proprietary new Directed Energy Weapon technology, which, in a non-lethal mode, can direct electrical discharges through the atmosphere to disable vehicles, such as cars, trucks or boats, without harming the vehicles' occupants. These discharges can also shut down electronic and communications equipment. When fully developed, this technology will also have the capability of stunning personnel, in a manner similar to a common TASER (R)-- but in a wireless manner and over much longer distances. Ionatron has already commenced the production of a limited number of prototypes for customer evaluation and testing within the customers' specific environments and missions. Ionatron believes its technology is superior to many of the other Directed Energy technologies in development, due to its low average power requirements and potential compact size. Ionatron's technology is also multifunctional in capability, with various military, homeland defense and law enforcement applications. Ionatron has recently secured several US Government contracts and had its technology funded as a line item in the 2004 DOD Defense Budget.

[Hotdog]

Correct me if I'm wrong...but I thought I read that the people that invented the Radar for speeding cars also invented the Radar Detector?

[Quix]

And/or a wet spot in his shorts.