Policing challenge for text messaging
New mobile applications that are integrated with SMS gateways, could deliver text messages capable of switching off the engines of stolen or getaway cars. According to the Telegraph, the Home Office has asked for mobile application developers to come up with vehicle stopping technology that will empower the local police force in new ways.
The use of text messaging in police forces worldwide is nothing new. From basic text alerts to interdepartmental communication to dramatic rescues of victims who have managed to send a text message to a helpline, texting has become a commonplace crime fighting tool. The ability to stop a stolen car in its tracks, though, would be a world-first!
High speed car chases frequently lead to the deaths of both officers and civilians and if officers in charge could simply send a text message to the remote receiver unit in the getaway car, they could stop the car, catch the crooks and save the British public a lot of stress and money.
The Home Office stated that, “if new technology can help police stop vehicles more safely and more effectively then it is right that we look at all the options carefully.” These options include commercially available technology such as text messaging and access to SMS gateway application programming interfaces (API’s), which will enable either the police or the owner to use a mobile phone with access to this kind of application, to regain control of their stolen vehicle.
The tracking system would use satellite navigation to locate the car, the position of which would be shown on a website and the car would need to be fitted with a text message receiver. The owner or a company acting on their behalf would then send a text message to the car and stop the would-be robbers in their tracks. The text message could switch on the headlights, sound the horn or slow and stop the car down or even immobilise it immediately.
Instantaneous delivery of the text message is obviously of prime importance in this challenge and the need for a reliable SMS gateway provider is apparent. Secure message transmission is vital and protection of transmitted commands plus PIN codes needs to be ensured. SSL encryption and additional security measures would be part of the developer brief.
Mobile developers who rise to this challenge could see their intelligent text messaging application being put to the test and even implemented throughout the UK.
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Tags: 2 way SMS, API’s, application programming interface, bulk SMS gateway, Clickatell, mobile application developers, mobile developers, mobile phone, SMS, sms gateway, text alerts, text message, text messaging
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