Spylamp Bicycle GPS Tracker

[nathrix]

http://www.gpstrackthis.com/GPSTrack/Products.jsp

 

http://www.bikerumor.com/2010/12/05/anti-theft-gps-bicycle-tracker/

 

Imagine the situation. You park your beloved bicycle outside your work, locking it securely. Unbeknown to you a thief starts to cut your lock, however the vibrations trigger the cunning alarm you have hidden in your bike which sends you a SMS to let you know there is a problem. Despite rushing downstairs immediately you are just too late and see the thief cycling away. Undaunted, you run back to your computer, log on to a special website and follow the movements of the thief until the vibrations stop, thus revealing your bikes location so you can go round, or call the police, to retrieve it. Sound far fetched? Then read on to hear more about this great new security device.

 

This unique GPS tracker is cunningly concealed inside a fully functional rear bike light. Designed by GPSTrackThis, once the Spylamp is activated a vibration sensor detects any movement of the bike, notifies the owner via SMS that the bike is in motion and uploads its position to the GPSTrackThis website. So long as motion is detected the device continues to upload its position every 20 seconds allowing the owner to plot the course of the bike and it’s current location. It is also possible to set the device to transmit it’s position either upon demand or at set intervals. It is worth noting that the motion sensor needs a few seconds of continual motion to activate, so an accidental bump or passing car shouldn’t trigger the alarm.

 

The device works with any mobile network in the world and the user only has to buy a pay-as-you-go SIM with each GPS upload being charged at a fraction of a cent.

 

GPSTrackThishas sold the Spylamp online for the past few months, however the firm has now ceased online sales and is looking for a distribution partner or interested retailers to get in contact. They are also working on a new tracker which can be hidden inside the bicycle frame, getting around the one obvious disadvantage of the Spylamp system.

Edited December 5, 2010 by nathrix™ ®

[chris_w_65]

They will steal the back light

[Starry nights]

Crooks are not stupid - they will now rip off any lights and carry on! Needs to be in random places within the tubes of the frame?

[Shebeen]

I've had this exact concept in my head ever since I worked with gps on an unmanned plane project about 5 years ago. I think the idea of a taillight is quite clever actually. It'll take a while before the thieves catch on, and if it's secured strongly with maybe a tamper alerted buzzer it could work.

 

at 160 pounds(motor bike version) its still too expensive for a solution that still isnt foolproof.

 

how much would you guys be willing to pay for one of these that slots down the seat tube/fork steerer?

[Ashchest]

I wonder who will be the first Bike brand to sell a factory fitted alarm / tracker with remote control. I am sure with technology at hand there should be a long life battery available to guarantee operation in excess of 10 years. If it's pre-fitted into the tube then only way to remove it would be to cut the tube.

 

How slick would it be to park my bike, press a remote button and Beep Beep with a flashing light secure it!! :thumbup:

[Ashchest]

Well, If it's in the down tube, ad to that a little lock pin pushing down into the BB somehow locking the crank so no one can ride the bike if it's immobilized .. zzzzz :rolleyes:

[Shebeen]

I wonder who will be the first Bike brand to sell a factory fitted alarm / tracker with remote control.

 

[skeptic mode on]

so obvious isn't it? why hasn't it been done?

 

cellphone companies(manufactureres and networks) have the ability to turn your phone into a paperweight, but stolen phones add to the industry.

[RodTi]

Wouldn't any sort of "tracker" device need line-of-sight 'access' to satellites, for the GPS purposes?

 

Or is this a case of ??

 

Just wondering? Might play a role in where the unit could be inserted on/in the bike?

[Ashchest]

Wouldn't any sort of "tracker" device need line-of-sight 'access' to satellites, for the GPS purposes?

 

Or is this a case of ??

 

Just wondering? Might play a role in where the unit could be inserted on/in the bike?

shouldn't be a problem building the line of site into the frame, could be a small insert on the top tube, like most laptops having their antennas extended to the top end of the screen.

 

I know for sure this technology is already available, this needs to be incorporated into the frame. Such a chip would probably cost $5 to manufacture and another $10 to install, but could push the selling price of the frame up with $100!