Tracking car thieves in real time

By Fredrick Obura

Over the past few months, there has been increased rate of crime within Nairobi and its satellite towns. The current breed of criminals is targeting motorists.

As the boys in blue appear challenged with the thugs’ new strategies, Information Communication and Technology experts are burning midnight oil trying to come up with lasting solutions.

When a vehicle is stolen, the alarm is automatically activated and the device sends a distress signal to a mobile phone, and the owner can establish the location.

A local company—Auto Scope Ltd —has developed a real time vehicle tracking system and fleet management package to address the problem.

"The kit is installed in vehicle or a ship, and is powered using its own battery or the host’s source of power. Other components like google maps and the software itself would be installed in a subscriber’s personal computer or phone," says the Software developer and Managing Director Empire Microsystems Ltd, James Mworia.

From any Personal Computer or a mobile phone, managers can login and access real time information on specific vehicle or a group of vehicles.

"With an appropriate network solution, fleet operators can provide customers with real-time shipment information and ensure the safety of the assets and field personnel," he says.

It supports remote car immobiliser function, this application can stop car engine remotely and can send an alert text message to the preset phone number, if car alarm is activated.

When vehicle or ship alarm is activated, the device sends a distress signal to a mobile phone. The system’s immobilization application enables one to stop a vehicle in case of theft.

The other component of the system, the General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) is a packet-based wireless communication service: it connects mobile and computer users to the Internet.

"GPRS is based on Global System for Mobile communication and complements applications like the Short Message Services" he explains.

Internet technology

The web application combines Internet technology, GPS and wireless terrestrial networks such as GSM into tracking and monitoring system

"It receives the GPS data and sends the data via GSM/GPRS wireless network to the web application," he explains.

The installation time is about two hours. Fleet manager will be able to access at any given time the route a vehicle is plying, speed and location.

A GPS fleet tracking system captures data real time without any delay. Current information about the shipment can be had in a few minutes.

"For instance GPS fleet tracking system can point out where your stolen vehicle is or where your ship sails at present," he says.

Defects in GPS

Drawing some features from aeroplanes’ black box, the system can monitor the sound in real-time, this helps with investigation.

Unlike other systems, at a press of a mobile phone key, a stolen vehicle could be disabled. "The ability to track, locate and manage assets is critical to a company’s overall performance. This saves time and money," he says.

The system uses GPRS and GPS devices. The integration of Google maps come in handy in tracking the asset over the Google earth.

With GPRS facilitation once installed, it can be controlled on line and re-configured. The report is accessed using Web based software. This enables an individual client to have password control access.

The system gives the assorted information like the estimated time of arrival, delivery date and time, finding the last location and event.

Also by fixing GPS tracking devices to your vehicles, you can even monitor the driving habits of your children. Information such as when a truck finishes loading and leaves the plant and arrives at the delivery site can be tracked at each stage.

"You can verify and optimise the productivity of your employees through GPS fleet tracking system," he says. The Global positioning satellite GPS device gives position inform of longitude and latitude.

The Global Positioning Satellite data is recorded and saved in a secure database by the web application. "If no wireless coverage is present, the GPS data is stored and sent to the web application on availability of wireless network.

"The in vehicle transceiver device has a built in GPS receiver for determining the vehicle location, traveling speed, direction and altitude".

satellite signal

Defects in GPS tracking system Geometrical position of satellites play an important role in providing precise information a slight variation can produce inaccurate information.

The more satellites a GPS tracking device can read, the more precise the results you will get. Unfortunately a satellite signal is likely to slow down as it passes through rough weather.

Signal reception can also be blocked by buildings, electronic interference, terrain and even foliage so the tracking systems cannot operate underwater or underground.