PhotoViolationMeter takes cash, cards... and your picture

The next time you’re hauled into court to argue over whether you were parked illegally, there might be an unusual witness backing up your claims, or those of the cop who left a gift on your windshield: the parking meter itself. The PhotoViolationMeter is a new smart parking meter that includes most recent smart-meter innovations, such as accepting payments via smartcard or cellphone, and adds a new twist: a camera that can take pictures of your car and upload them to authorities, store them locally, and make decisions based on how long you’ve been parked. Park for too long in a one-hour spot, and the meter can automatically let the police know you’re still there, no meter maid required. The meter even takes away one of the few perks left to users of other meter systems: the ability to use time left over by the previous parker. Once a car leaves, the PhotoViolationMeter automatically resets itself to zero, forcing each new parker to pay all over again. Isn’t technology grand?

[Via The Raw Feed]

[Jeff @ Dec 21st 2005 3:50PM]

I think there are probably some Xmas sales going on for large-scale pipe cutters.



Cool Hand Luke, anyone?

[Google Nazi @ Dec 21st 2005 4:10PM]

This is retarded.

1. You should be allowed to take the time from the other person because that is how much they deserve for asking money for parking. Here you don't see parking meters but $5/h fee parking lots.



2. This just calls for somoene to hack these things and make people over pay without them knowing. Derrr, untrustable.

[james @ Dec 21st 2005 6:05PM]

I miss the days when meters were simply about turn-over. Now it's about profit.

[Eric @ Dec 21st 2005 8:19PM]

I say just put a piece of gum on the camera. Low-tech solution.