On star Big Brother Vehicle Integration Continues....Now they shut your car off.

[JDouglasFisher]

Actually,

If you will all recall, back when OBD3 computers first starting coming into use in motor vehicles, they discussed the very thing. The excuse back then was that in California, during a high speed pursuit, the police should have the ability to shut the car off.

IIRC, it was hammered down pretty hard in the press, and then the idea was put on the back burner.

This isn't a "new idea", just someone trying to bring it back to the forefront again folks, and this, I can agree, needs to be stopped..

Joe.

[Raineyrocks]

http://www.livescience.com/technology/071010-onstar-police.html

General Motors plans to equip 1.7 million of its 2009 models with a system that allows OnStar operators to cut engine power in the car if the police request it. The system was demonstrated in Washington, D.C. today.
GM's OnStar system already contains built-in GPS tracking that would allow police to find any OnStar-equipped vehicle. With the new technology, if the police request it, an OnStar operator will inform the occupants of the vehicle and then cut power. The engine will be slowed to idle speed, to allow the driver to move to the side of the road. Brakes and other electrical functions of the vehicle will still work.
The intent of the system is to cut down on the number of police chases, which can be dangerous for both bystanders and police. A recent study showed that from 1994 through 2002, there were 2,654 crashes involving 3,965 vehicles and 3,146 fatalities during police pursuits.
The idea for this capability was showcased recently in science fiction author Greg Bear's book Quantico. In the novel, a near-future story about biotech and the war on terror, police could use Cop Block to stop a car or truck in its tracks.
"...When the truck's driver ignored his lights and siren and the trucks failed to respond to Cop Block, the patrolman became aware he might have a situation..." All cars and trucks in the U.S. were now required to have Cop Block. A patrol car could radio a coded signal that slowed and then shut down the engine.
(Read more about Cop Block)
GM also stated that the owner of the vehicle may opt out of the service upon request. GM's research has indicated that 95% of current OnStar subscribers would like to participate.
Take a look at other initiatives to make the roads safer, like the prototype car seat and Nissan Pivo 2 in-dash robot, which try to detect drivers sleeping behind the wheel. Read an interview with Greg Bear about Quantico. Story via ABC News.

    Anyone who pays for this garbage deserves what they get.  In ten years I'll probably
be able to earn my livelihood offering solutions when these systems become common.
What happens if someone finds a system vulnerability and starts shutting down vehicles
all over the country?

This is one of the many reasons that I want an old 1970's something Chevy Nova!

[Raineyrocks]

We need an electronics guy in NH who knows how to overide those black boxes in cars and the GPS squealers in cell phones, build RFID scanners, bug detectors..............................

Definitely!

[Puke]

Don't buy GM vehicles with this OnStar crap in it.