Volvo's heart attack on crooks

A tiny new listening device that can detect heartbeats has won Volvo a top award for security innovation.

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Sensor in PCC can detect a car jacker’s heartbeat from distance of 100 metres

07th July 2007

The Swedish firm's Personal Car Communicator (PCC) scooped the honour at the British Insurance Car Security Awards. The pocket-sized PCC handset includes a unique sensor that can detect the heartbeat of a 'car mugger' lurking inside a motor from 100 metres away.

Modern alarms and immobilisers are now so effective that many models are virtually thief-proof, and Volvo says its gadget - which costs £500 on the S80, V70 and XC90 - will outsmart a car crook's last option: to lie inside until the owner returns with the keys.

But security expert Thatcham says there is only anecdotal evidence that this type of 'car jacking' is a genuine risk. "Car crime is at a 25-year low, but this offers the comfort factor to those who want it," explained a spokesman. The PCC has a host of other features, including remote alerts when the alarm is triggered, as well as keyless entry and keyless go.