| The use of technology to make the cars of today | | | | vehicle owner gets out and locks the door of his or |
| safer and more convenient to consumers has been | | | | her vehicle, he or she can use his or her mobile |
| the norm. Year in and year out, automakers are | | | | phone to send a message to the device. That |
| continually outdoing each other in offering a wide | | | | message can disable the engine. With the engine |
| array of technologically advanced features. But apart | | | | disabled, thieves' attempt at "hot-wiring" the car will |
| from major automakers, numerous companies are | | | | fail. Isis Barchi, chief technology officer for Earth |
| also involved in the development of devices fort | | | | Search has this to say: "This is a highly user-friendly |
| automotive application. Case in point is the new | | | | and effective auto-theft prevention device." |
| device which its manufacturer claims can help put a | | | | Apart from the device's capability to disable the |
| stop to car theft. | | | | engine like EBC pads clamping on disc brakes, the |
| When it comes to GPS technology for automotive | | | | Earth Search technology also informs a vehicle owner |
| application, OnStar is a popular company. Thanks to | | | | if his or her vehicle was moved in any direction. This |
| its tie-up with Detroit automaker General Motors. But | | | | capability of the device allows car owners to be |
| OnStar's main competitor may have gained an | | | | always informed as to what is happening to their |
| advantage. Earth Communications Inc. will be launching | | | | vehicle. The AutoSearchGPS as the device is called |
| a new GPS-based vehicle tracking device ahead of | | | | can also be used to locate a vehicle via a mobile |
| OnStar which will launch a similar device for General | | | | phone. |
| Motors vehicles by 2009. The aim of the tracking | | | | A vehicle can be tracked in real time online. This |
| device is to make recovery of stolen vehicles much | | | | capability allows authorities to learn where the vehicle |
| easier. | | | | is and where it has been. The exact location of the |
| The Auto Channel reported that the National | | | | vehicle as well as its speed can also be learned with |
| Insurance Crime Bureau gathered that every 26 | | | | the use of the device. "In the highly unlikely event |
| seconds, a car is stolen in the United States. In | | | | that a thief is able to move a vehicle equipped with |
| response to that alarming rate of scar theft, Kay | | | | our product, inevitably the vehicle can be found |
| Aladesuyi, the president and Chief Executive Officer | | | | quickly," enthused Aladesuyi. |
| of Earth Search, has this to say: "Not anymore. The | | | | The device which is considered as a |
| only way a car thief can steal a vehicle equipped with | | | | benchmark-setting system is now available as optional |
| one of our devices is by towing it - and we have an | | | | features on vehicles purchased at participating Mazda |
| alert for that, too. We don't just find stolen vehicles; | | | | dealerships in Atlanta. Aladesuyi pointed out that |
| we provide the tool to stop the theft." | | | | OnStar's device works similar to the AutoSearchGPS. |
| The technology works in a way that would make it | | | | The only difference is that their device is available |
| virtually impossible for a thief to get away with a car | | | | today and not two years from now. |
| equipped with Earth Search's device. Every time a | | | | |