courtesy of slashdot...
short version: a company is developing a device that uses microwaves to disable the microprocessors in a vehicle. originally funded by the US marine corps, this device could also have law enforcement uses to stop cars. long version here.
commentary: the article already points out the possible risks of collateral damage if used in populated areas or where there are other items present that also rely in microprocessors, such as an ATM if used in the vicinity of a bank or something, as well as the risk of pain to people in the targeted vehicle. it also weighs 200 lbs, which means it’s big and possibly bulky.
it obviously could be used, again as the article suggests, for security purposes such as in iraq.
i’m curious however about some of the other possible risks, such as if the driver of a car has a pacemaker or something like that—this would of course be a pretty considerable problem, i think.
still, an interesting idea, if you ask me.
ed
silverwhisper posted on Nov 14, 2007
| views: 297
Comments
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the_infernal_optimist said on Nov 14, 2007....
That is interesting...but I tend to agree that there are a ton of potential issues with it, and I'm not sure all of them are surmountable.
~Infernal
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Fallyn said on Nov 14, 2007....
it's an interesting idea........but the risks FAR outweigh the benefits in my opinion. -
silverwhisper said on Nov 15, 2007....
infernal, fallyn: i think that its originally-intended use, for the military, is probably the only one in which we'll ever see it used, to be honest.
ed -
Fallyn said on Nov 15, 2007....
i would bet so.....they couldn't possibly be that stupid.
nevermind. they could.....but it's unlikely.
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crybabylu said on Nov 15, 2007....
I don't know, it sounds risky. -
silverwhisper said on Nov 16, 2007....
fallyn: let's hope!
dee: if the military uses it, i don't think they're too concerned about the risk to the targets.
ed
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