Tanker Truck Shut Down Via Satellite

unassimilatible writes "Satellite Security Systems, in cooperation with the California Highway Patrol and InterState Oil Company, demonstrated the first wireless remote shutdown of a fully loaded, moving gas tanker truck. Described as "a viable solution to the challenge of controlling rogue hazardous waste vehicles that could pose a threat to homeland security," satellite communications were used to disable the truck in seconds, 530 miles from the demonstration site. But that's not all. California Assembly Bill (AB) 575 (PDF link) would require truck disabling devices, global positioning or other 'location reporting systems' on all hazardous material haulers. With all of the police pursuits in California, can mandatory GPS and disabling devices in all vehicles be far away?"

Comments

Well there goes the end of the car chases on Fox.

[matthew.thompson]

What are they going to use for "The world's stupidest car chases" now?

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Shutdown?

[Oncogene]

That'd be insult to injury. A BSOD right before the blinding flash.

Re:The logic is flawed

[Speare]

B) Steal a truck WEEKS in advance , have time to throughly remove any id , electronic shutdown aids, put fake plates on, respray, fill with a chemical of your choice and drive normally into the city unrecognized?

Why did I just hear the theme to the A-Team playing, and imagine a long useless video segment of Face and Murdock fighting over who gets to use the welding torch next?

Smokey and the Bandit

[ElWelshWizard]

It will make the Deputy's job in Smokey and the Bandit a lot easier though!

And in other news...

[llamafirst]

From S3's headquarters in San Diego -- 530 miles from the demonstration site -- satellite communications were used to disable the truck in seconds, proving S3's GlobalGuard and FleetGuard a viable solution to the challenge of controlling rogue hazardous waste vehicles that could pose a threat to homeland security.

And in other news, based on these tests the US Government signed a contract for full support for follow-up product for remote control of mobile military weaponry. You know, to make sure control doesn't fall into the wrong hands. The product, called SkyNet...

Re:So much for homeland security

[jazman_777]

Image a 30 ton truck full of gasoline or liquid oxygen rolling down I5 at 70 MPH

Now imagine a beowulf cluster of these.

Re:So much for homeland security

[Stephen Samuel]

Because it would be illegal to disable the device on a stolen vehicle, of course.

Oh silly me. Why didn't I think of that??? The last thing a suicide bomber would want would be to end up in jail after he blows himself up.