TELEMATICS TO TACKLE THIEVES

This article outlines some applications of transport telematic services in Germany, to track vehicles using a combination of GPS (Global Positioning System) and GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) communications. This technology is used in the new SKEYE Protect anti-theft system, developed by T-Mobil and other German companies. Using satellite signals received, a SKEYE device, built into a vehicle, calculates its location at any given time. In the event of an alarm, this location is transmitted via the D1 mobile telephone network to a central office operating 24 hours a day. The office can then trace the stolen vehicle on a digital map, and inform police or public security agencies, so that it can be identified and pursued. Each protected vehicle has a free movement zone, which vehicle owners can adapt to their requirements. A vehicle can be immobilised automatically when it leaves that zone, and its ignition can then be jammed. If the vehicle is immobilised accidentally by the owner, the code word can be passed to the centre, and the vehicle will be released. SKEYE Protect is only one of a variety of products developed by T-Mobil in the rapidly growing field of traffic telematics. Another example is a taxi drivers' emergency call, a new life-saving alarm system.