In Car Speed Limit Detector

[Wizzo]

Vauxhall Motors is working on a speed limit detector that can take 30 pictures a second, and then analyze these pictures with image recognition software. Once it detects the speed limit on the signs, it posts the correct number on the dashboard.

The Vauxhall speed limit detector is planned to appear on the upcoming Insignia sedan, and could be available on 2010 models of United States cars.

[cosworth151]

I think the new Insignia will be sold over here as the Saturn Aura.

[Steven Roy]

Do they really think anyone will buy one?  Or get the detector fixed when it breaks?

[cosworth151]

Do they really think anyone will buy one?  Or get the detector fixed when it breaks?

Fix it the same way some people fix a "Check Engine" light - put a piece of black electrical tape over it!

[SennaMan]

seriously, some insurance companies, corporations and police authorities are considering compulsory electronic devices to be fitted to all cars that give real-time and downloadable data on car speeds and whereabouts etc.

Just thinking of the applications scares me rotten. Insurance companies could avoid claims citing excessive speed; companies could detect whether employees were performing to schedule and their whereabouts etc; police could test alibis and even remotely disable criminal's cars and Governments could collect accurate data to tax ya more, arbitrarily limit speeds at any time or place etc. etc.

I am sure you can think of more.

All benefits perhaps but the power to control and what happens if something goes wrong will have to be addressed. 

[Scott]

Lucky for us the smartest people aren't on the government's side.  There will be cracks for the system if it is actually brought in, and also if it is, the issue will make a great campaign debate for the next election after it is.

[cosworth151]

Many commercial vehicles here in the States already have real-time GPS trackers. It allows the company to tell where it is at any time.

There are already ways to beat the system. Drivers of GPS-equipped semi trucks have been know to attach the unit to a battery charger and leave it at home while they use the truck for private jobs.

[Alianora La Canta]

Besides, some of the things proposed would be massive data protection issues. If the UK government had got its act together before last September, it would have got away with it, but now anything that involves the government receiving data in potentially-insecure ways is an election-losing issue.