KITT's scanner light gets explained

We still have mixed feelings on the soon-to-be-revived Knight Rider franchise -- sure, we're gonna watch it, but we'll probably do it with tears streaming down our face -- but that doesn't mean we're going to turn down an inside look on how KITT's iconic red scanner light works. According to Pierre Hoffman, whose Auto Indulgence shop built the new scanner, the units consists of 240 LEDs per side in three rows of 80. The goal was to make the scanner look like a heartbeat, so early prototypes were actually triggered from a music interface connected to samples of different heart rhythms. Sadly, the final design isn't nearly as slick, using a complex timing-based circuit board instead -- but that doesn't mean we aren't filled with a rush of conflicted emotions every time we see that red glow. Check the whole interview with Pierre at the read link.

[Will @ Feb 15th 2008 6:41AM]

I'm disappointed that Will Arnett isn't the voice of KITT as was rumoured.
"Michael..."

[Timmy @ Feb 15th 2008 8:45AM]

Will Arnett has done to many sexually questionable characters (30 rock, blades of furry, etc) to not imagine those characters when hearing his voice. Val Kilmer (batman movies) has at least a little more coolness to it.

[Dan S. @ Feb 15th 2008 11:18AM]

I think the producers of Knight Rider may have made a terrible mistake...

Also, I'm not sure that anyone who wore a Schumacher Batsuit is physically capable of adding coolness to anything (Look at Nipples, Michael!)

[Joseph @ Feb 15th 2008 1:40PM]

Will Arnett couldn't be the voice of KITT because it's a Ford, and he has a contract with GM.

[Will @ Feb 15th 2008 11:16PM]

Haha Dan...
"You're as cold as ice... willing to sacrifice"

[Andir3.0 @ Feb 15th 2008 6:46AM]

I thought the movement was faster... This looks so slow in the videos.

[Ellianth @ Feb 15th 2008 7:13AM]

I agree. That's 1 slow heart beat. I wonder what the other version looked like.

[David @ Feb 15th 2008 8:21AM]

I am suprised that they made one more accesory fit onto that seriously tricked out mustang.

[Reid @ Feb 15th 2008 7:26PM]

If they put LED lights in every fake scoop on a Mustang, it would kill the battery instantly.

[MBN @ Feb 15th 2008 11:12PM]

Reid, you're dead wrong. RED LEDs draw very little current.

[chipsdeluxe @ Feb 15th 2008 9:48AM]

There must be shortage of articles this morning.

[Travis Molleck @ Feb 15th 2008 10:35AM]

So if it's supposed to resemble a heartbeat will it be going faster during the intense scenes?

[Gorillamonk @ Feb 15th 2008 11:16AM]

I don't mind Will Arnett's voice. Even with the questionable characters.

And, another thing...it didn't make the sound that the original scanner made while it was idle.

I'm banning it til further notice.

[James @ Feb 15th 2008 1:06PM]

wonder why they just didnt time it with the RPM's

[Dan S. @ Feb 15th 2008 11:21AM]

The converging/diverging scanner looks lame. I'd have been happier had they stuck with Glen Larson's original "cylon" scanner that was made of out **gasp** 1970s tech.

[Prokanda @ Feb 15th 2008 11:46AM]

KITT is supposed to be a GM vehicle. This is an abomination. The new KITT should have been a GTO.

[bethel03 @ Feb 15th 2008 11:53AM]

Still shouldn't have used a ford... Now its only going to make the current Rustang owners (*cough* V6 owners) think they have an even faster car than they already do. Very disappointed in GM and Mopar for not offering up the Camaro or Challenger... Would have made for a much better KITT.

Just my .02 ...

[stuckouteast @ Feb 15th 2008 1:30PM]

I was going to give the show a chance until they replaced Will Arnett. Now that he's gone all we'll have left to focus on is how the show is a poor imitation of an '80s classic...

[Mr. Deeds @ Feb 15th 2008 2:32PM]

Thank You. Thank you for typing "at the read link" instead of "after the break" to emphasize a "read link"...One engadget member seems to have gained some "non-fad" filled knowledge. Everytime I read the words "after the break" I'm wondering "who's taking a break?". I guess folks with dial-up can take a break after clicking the link while waiting for it to load?

[Chris @ Feb 15th 2008 6:39PM]

Thank you for posting this blog about my article. I really appreciate the exposure. I'm glad you liked it!

Chris
http://www.musclecarblog.com/

[bbiessel @ Feb 16th 2008 1:02AM]

Has the cylon invasion commenced?

[frankie @ Feb 17th 2008 5:27AM]

It looks very complicated, cool, red, etc etc... But I just can not see the heartbeat in it and remembering the original night rider? This one is not even half as good... And I so miss the wuw wuuuw sound it used to make :D