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Anyone with a camera and $5 can now have a license plate reader
Automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), software that allows computers to separate and analyze license plates from camera footage, could soon become ubiquitous in American neighborhoods thanks to a company called Rekor Systems. On Thursday, the firm started selling a product called Watchman. The $5 per month subscription allows homeowners to add the company's OpenALPR software to almost any home security camera.
A Vermont bill would bring emoji license plates to the US
With their ability to add a dash of color and whimsy to a text message, emoji have become an indispensable part of our online interactions. Thanks to a new piece of proposed legislation introduced last week in the Vermont House of Representatives, they could soon start making state license plates more colorful as well.
Billions of license plate scans are part of a private surveillance database
The US government might have reconsidered its plans for license plate recognition, but companies haven't -- and they've raised serious privacy concerns in the process. Motherboard has posted an exposé detailing the Digital Recognition Network, a privately run database that collects legions of plate recognition scans (roughly 9 billion to date) from repo drivers with camera-equipped cars. The system automatically captures both the plates and locations of every car they drive by, making it possible to track the movement of car owners across the US over months or even years. Anyone with access could find out where you live, work and socialize.
Hackers steal traveler photos and license plates from US Customs
If you were wondering why it can be risky for governments to collect traveler images en masse on connected systems... well, here's why. US Customs and Border Protection has confirmed that hackers stole traveler images from a subcontractor, including photos of people entering or leaving the country as well as copies of their license plates. In a statement, CBP said that the subcontractor had "violated mandatory security and privacy protocols" by transferring the data to its own network.
Dozens of law enforcement agencies are helping ICE track cars
More than 9,200 Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees have access to a license plate database that allows authorities to track the movement of vehicles over time. The American Civil Liberties Union says more than 80 law enforcement agencies across several states are sharing license plate details with ICE, which purportedly doesn't have sufficient safeguards to prevent abuse.
DHS seeks bids for access to license-plate tracking systems
The Department of Homeland Security wants access to data about when and where suspects have traveled, and it could get that information from a license-plate tracking system. According to The Washington Post, the DHS first sought a private company that gathers location data in February last year. But it soon pulled back because of the backlash from advocates of privacy and civil liberties who pointed out that access to a commercial tracking system would allow field officers to pinpoint the location of millions of citizens who commute everyday. Now, a year later, the DHS is back with a new solicitation – that this time it says can both meet its goal and protect citizen privacy.
Homeland Security reconsiders plans for a national license plate recognition database
Homeland Security has decided it doesn't need a database of everyone's license plates after all -- at least not yet. Law enforcement officials across the country are already using license plate readers to track vehicles, but currently those cameras aren't connected together in any sort of meaningful way. The Department of Homeland Security was interested in tying together the nation's cameras, and posted a call for contractors earlier this week to find someone to create a new National License Plate Recognition Database to house them all. Originally reported by Ars Technica, a 29-page document detailing the program describes a technology where officers could upload a photo of a license plate from their smartphone, and then get alerts on their phone regarding the location of a vehicle. The database could allow officers to track vehicles over state lines, and quickly locate criminals on the run. Turns out that document and the contractor listing were posted prematurely. An ICE representative told the Washington Post Wednesday that the documents had not reviewed by the organization's leaders, and they're pulling the request for now. That doesn't mean your wheels are in the clear just yet -- the group plans to revisit the idea, and could potentially repost the listing in the future.
Cordon multi-target photo-radar system leaves no car untagged (video)
Go easy on the gas, Speed Racer, because Cordon is on its way. Developed by Simicon, this new speed sensor promises to take highway surveillance to new heights of precision. Unlike most photo radar systems, which track only one violator at a time, Simicon's device can simultaneously identify and follow up to 32 vehicles across four lanes. Whenever a car enters its range, the Cordon will automatically generate two images: one from wide-angle view and one closeup shot of the vehicle's license plate. It's also capable of instantly measuring a car's speed and mapping its position, and can easily be synced with other databases via WiFi, 3G or WiMAX. Plus, this device is compact and durable enough to be mounted upon a tripod or atop a road sign, making it even harder for drivers to spot. Fortunately, though, you still have time to change your dragster ways, as distributor Peak Gain Systems won't be bringing the Cordon to North America until the first quarter of 2012. Cruise past the break to see some footage of a field trial that's currently underway -- cars tagged with a green dot are traveling below the speed limit, those with a yellow marking are chugging along within an acceptable range above the limit, while vehicles with a red tab are just asking for trouble.
Visualized: Tesla owner talks smack using world's greatest vanity plate
Owning one of the world's most electrifying and exclusive four-wheelers not enough for you? In that case, you'll probably be wanting a bright orange paintjob and a vanity plate that rubs pretty much every other road user up the wrong way.
California considers electronic ads on license plates, we consider never moving there
Driving in California could get a little more annoying in the coming days. The Legislature of the state that brought you Brody Jenner and Spencer Pratt is now considering a bill which would allow the beginning of research into electronic license plates for vehicles. The new-fangled plates would look just like regular ones when a vehicle was in motion, but would flash awesome advertisements and other messages when stopped for more than four seconds. One San Francisco based startup, Smart Plate, is already hard at work on developing just such a device, but they're not in production yet. The measure is seen largely as a money making scheme for California, which -- like nearly everywhere else in the world -- is heavily in debt after several years of hard partying and irresponsible shopping trips. Parties interested in advertising on the plates would apparently contact the California DMV directly (then wait in line for 12 to 14 hours before submitting their preliminary application for ad space). If approved, the DMV will be required to submit its research and findings to the Legislature by January of 2013. Here's to the future!
More WoW license plates from our readers
Last week we posted an epic license plate and asked for more, and you guys responded in force. We've added four new plates to our gallery, which you can browse below. My favorite is seen above -- Jeff N. actually took a picture of it at BlizzCon. It's not his car, but it is a pretty awesome plate.The Hawaiians plate comes from Leialoha B., who gave the plate as a Christmas gift to her guildies in Hawaiians on Thaurissian, and the "MPG FTW" (which isn't really WoW-related, unless there's an "MPG" acronym we're not thinking of in the game ("Mana per gallon"?) comes from Angelo. More MPG for the win, indeed. And finally, the ZOMG LOL (also not necessarily WoW-related, but we'll accept it) plate comes from Joejohn, who saw it as he was driving around the other day in Washington, DC.All awesome. If you've got another plate for us to add in, drop us a note with a picture and we'll get it included.%Gallery-20183%
Scooter adorned with WoW art
This is awesome -- Jimzter of Carnage Kings on EU Darkspear decked out his Lambretta scooter with some great looking WoW art, and I mean decked: top to bottom, the whole thing is a celebration of the World of Warcraft. He's got character art all over the place, maps of the two major continents in the floor panels, and even the license plate font is WoW-ized. Apparently Jimzter designed all the custom artwork, and a friend painted it to his specs. As you can see, the guild's logo also got a promient place in the design. Looks amazing.Jim is, we're told, also a member of the Beverly Scooter Club, and if you happen to be in the area of Bridlington (near Yorkshire, England), you can even come see the bike, as he'll be showing it off at the Bridlington National Scooter Rally on October 24 through 26th. With their kind permission, we've put pictures of the scooter in the gallery below. Very nice work. %Gallery-35304%
TUAW Gallery: Apple Vanity Plates
It looks like a lot of you TUAW readers have been pimpin' yo ride with Apple vanity plates.After a couple of weeks of waiting for these plate pics -- several readers had to wait for their cars to be detailed before shooting the glamour shot -- TUAW is proud to present this gallery of Apple cultism on wheels. Enjoy! %Gallery-23667%
Call for Apple Vanity Plate Photos
Rather than getting an Apple-themed tattoo, I decided to show my love for all things Mac when I bought a new car last year and applied for vanity plates. The result (above), is also unobtrusive advertising for my consulting firm. A quick Flickr search revealed a number of Apple vanity plates, but I thought it would be fun this Memorial Day weekend to have TUAW readers send in photos of their Apple / Mac / iPod / iPhone plates. Leave a comment if you have Apple vanity tags and I'll send you info on where to email your photos. The results will end up saved for posterity in a TUAW Gallery.
Licensed to play WoW
Wil's new license plate, as seen over on WoW Livejournal.Also see the discussion here, the frames over here (if you don't want to actually have a custom plate), other suggestions (most of which seem like bumper stickers -- "My other car is a griffon"?) here, more discussion here, and many different WoW-related custom plates here.Not sure what it is that drives us WoW fans to adorn our cars with inside jokes and lingo from the game, but it does seem to provide a fun hint of Azeroth while driving around. If you've got something cool on your car not seen here, send it along to us, and we'll add it into the gallery below.%Gallery-20183%
RFID technology to hit license plates in Malaysia, too
In a bid to "stop automotive theft" from occurring so frequently in Malaysia, the Road Transport Department will begin fitting vehicles with RFID-equipped license plates that can be quickly scanned and analyzed by the boys in blue. The plate itself will receive a few minor aesthetic changes, but the integrated microchip is where the rubber hits the road; only authorized mechanics will be able to actually install the plates, and the microchip onboard will house information about the vehicle's model, make, and even driver information. The e-plate, as it's so aptly named, has already quelled theft in Japan (and hit Britain, too), and the RTD hopes that Kuala Lumpur will see the same drops in crime as the new plates make things much more difficult for carjackers since swapping out the plates won't exactly bypass security. The RTD's director-general has already set the implementation in motion, aiming to equip "new cars" first, while "older" (read: less desirable) whips will get the RFID treatment later on.[Via Inquirer]
