http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/ Engadget Comments for The downside to using a biometric car lock http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
The car already costs you an arm and a leg.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
Or just see 'Demolition Man' and Mr. Snipes will show you the way...

to: #4

LOL! Very amusing pun.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
maybe they keept the thumb... body temperature by putting the "finger" well... nevermind

disgusting
]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/i was thinkin abt demolition man too
]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
Wouldn't holding the thumb in your hand for 1 min make it close to body temperature.


If they're planning to part it, why need to take thumb with them. I wonder how those thieves plan to sell the car, "Enjoy the car, here's the thumb."?


]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
Hey dude...Let me make it lock to YOUr fingerprint.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
I just cleaned spittle off this monitor and NOW it needs to be done again.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
" reads signals that bounce off skin when fingers are placed on a surface embedded with electric conductors. It first applies "an AC voltage with a variable frequency to at least one electric conductor," Marksteiner writes. The system then records the frequency of electric resistance and conductivity, and the time intervals between each one. Those signals generate a pattern, which he describes as curved in shape....This characteristic curve shape can be faked or simulated only with difficulty when using an artificial finger," Marksteiner writes. "In the case of a cut-off finger, the curve shape changes rapidly as a result of the skin tissue dying off."

http://www.senseme.com/scripts/articles/articles11.htm

And to #4, #8 and #13--damn that was almost too funny...!]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
Most stolen cars (the majority ?) are chopped up and sold as parts. I've read (so take the figures with a grain of salt) that a $25K to $30K car can be sold in parts for about $200K. (so imagine what an even more expensive car could bring). So being able to start and drive the car may not be too important after the car is safely stashed where it can be dismantled.

Also to #13: HAHAHAHAHAHA!

As for re-heating the thumb, just dunk it in your chili...

]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
Maybe they just didn't want to take the owner (or at least, most of him) with them when they drove the car to their chop shop.

]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
That sounds like a misquote or quite a hyperbole. If this were the case, I could make a decent living by buying cars legitimately and selling them as parts... What I've heard is that if one were to build a car from spare parts, it'll cost a lot more than just buying the whole car, which sounds true but it's not necessarily reciprocal.

Anyway, thieves sell their loot as spare parts because it's easier and safer than trying to sell the whole cars outright. Most of the parts don't have recorded serial numbers that can be tracked, and the transactions are small enough that nobody bothers to check.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/ Like I said, take it with a grain of salt. The article I read (or was it something I saw/heard on 60 minutes a couple years ago?) may have been refering to a specific car or something...I honestly don't remember (or I could be remembering it incorrectly)...

]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
Even IF the device is smart enough to check for a pulse, then the criminal is only going to find out AFTER they remove the body part.

And if they need you alive, you run the risk of being kidnapped for a very long time.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Even without biometric locks on my car, I still cary a can of mace and a knife that's just barely legal. I don't make it obvious that I carry either one, and I don't joke about using them. But put me in a situation where I think I need to defend myself and It's gonna really sting. Of course I'll save the knife for if the mace doesn't work but I'm willing to use both.

Mark I don't know where you call home but If you ever decide to visit Los Angeles make sure you don't take the wrong Fwy exit and end up in the wrong part of town if you know what I mean because I can assure you that your little can of mace and your "knife that's just barely legal" won't save your ass from being jacked @ gun point.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/ " I still cary a can of mace and a knife that's just barely legal."

I too have knife that I keep in the car. It's got sheepsfoot blade in case I ever need to cut the seatbelt. I've also got an assisted opening drop point that goes everywhere I do for general utilitarian purposes (yes...even the airport...but the blade gets 'checked'...). I don't think I'd want to try to defend myself from the seat of my car with either knife (as mentioned, guns are probably the most common accessory for car jackings and...you know...'never bring a knife to a gun fight' - Unless you've got a gun as well)...nor would I want to spray mace in an enclosed environment such as, again, my car.

Not a criticism...just some things to think about...

I drive such cheap cars I doubt anyone would want to steal them anyway, but if I had the bling for a biometricly secured vehicle and I thought I needed some EXTRA protection, I'd go for the flamethrower system.

'Course, that wouldn't stop anyone from hitting me on the way TO my car, taking keys, cards, limbs, what have you and then driveing away completely oblivious to the flamethrowers presence...and it would be mighty embarassing to trigger that thing by accident at a drive-through window, or when pulled over for a traffic violation...


I'll jump on the pun bandwagon:

These guys sure know how to 'thumb' a ride...]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Sorry for the sarcasm ;)]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/
Realistically, he's lucky they just took a thumb. People get killed for much less.

]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM