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Volvo's heart attack on crooks
A tiny new listening device that can detect heartbeats has won Volvo a top award for security innovation.
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.
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.
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