Archives

The OnStar system in the stolen car then calls police... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-parker/gm-and-onstar---pushing-o_b_132487.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/GM_Logo1.jpgSteve Parker - The Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com) - Oct. 7, 2008

Is Big Brother already among us? -- Ed.

General Motors' OnStar service could mean car thieves are in for a big surprise. But first, the company's OnStar subscribers will need to ask themselves if they really want such a potentially intrusive system in their cars and trucks.

"Sure they will... Why not?" is a tough argument to beat when a feature like this is made possible by technology. But where do we draw the line? When is enough technology... just that - enough? Okay, so you decide. If you have a GM car or truck, it's a decision you'll eventually have to make in the real world, anyway.
Starting with about 20 models for 2009, OnStar will be able to slow a car that is reported stolen, and the radio may even speak up and tell the thief to pull over because police are watching. If police spot the crook in your car, they can send a signal which would halt the vehicle altogether, and let the police do their thing.

Many in the auto industry have considered the possibility of OnStar being able to provide this kind of a service, and there are stories of GM and police agencies having tested and developed the system until now, when The General feels they can provide this service safely to all involved - and charge for it, too. Finally, they've gone public with one of the best-known secrets in the car world.

OnStar already finds 700 to 800 cars per month using its GPS, or global positioning system. Most of those requests are from people who simply forgot where they parked. But the odd… http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-parker/gm-and-onstar---pushing-o_b_132487.html

How about locking the doors and releasing the phosgene gas inside
the cab, while we're at it?
.
Yes, the way OnStar is implemented is a huge privacy red flag,
and it could easily be re-engineered to work more anonymously.
.
_H*

other than japanese cars and expensive/exotic cars.. who in the world steal GM cars in the first place?

Its funny, I talk to a lot of potential customers who are concerned with the current system, thinking that there is some NORAD-like control center that is tracking them wherever they go. While its true that the control center exists, the OnStar people don't know where you are unless you or the vehicle contacts them (i.e. pressing the blue button, airbag deployment, etc.).

In reality, I think the system is grossly underrated, and most people would appreciate it once they know how it really works. On any given month, OnStar handles 1,200 airbag deployment notifications, 46,000 door unlock requests, 500 stolen vehicle notifications, 27,000 roadside assistance calls, etc. If you get lost, you can get directions without having to pull over. Frankly, I've never had anyone complain once they have it.

It really is pretty neat, and is now standard equipment on just about every GM vehicle (including the upcoming Pontiac G3).

If you're paying for the service, you're not giving up any privacy without your consent. Much ado about nothing. If Toyota had it,ya'll would think it was awesome.

no thanks. i think the chances of my car being stolen are quite small in the overall scheme of things. i don't need any more ways that anyone can track my whereabouts.

This might sway me - would OnStar have an option to harass and torture the theft? :p

What about an option that on command, you have your stolen vehicle to do a joyride?

Maybe thru a dangerous neighborhood?

Have tear gas during the ride?

What about an option that on command, you have your stolen vehicle to do a joyride?

Maybe thru a dangerous neighborhood?

Have tear gas during the ride?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDrzMGdYWZc

:D:D:D:D

I don't buy this. They offer some "solutions" to rather rare problems and in return, they know where we are at all times. Down the road, so to speak, a tolling system could easily be integrated into it, gouging ever more money from our pockets. As if bailing out the banks didn't already do a good job of that. Grrrr!

ollie

I know a guy who bought a freaking Yukon, because "he required OnStar on any vehicle he bought, for the safety of his family."

How about the safety of his country, and planet? Jeez... :confused::mad:

Harry

I like the airbag deployment feature - that is a really nice item.
tracking a stolen car - opening your doors when you lock your keys in it - i would call those "fun features" not something critical. besides there are alternatives to those...
There is a distructables somewhere for a GPS tracking device made out of a disposable cell phone.

is it worth the $. I do not know.
it will never be a turning point in my decision making process.
we can get into a HUGE privacy debate on this topic - with strong arguments on both sides.

It is not going to be the "be-all-end-all" of my decision process

steve

I like the airbag deployment feature - that is a really nice item.
tracking a stolen car - opening your doors when you lock your keys in it - i would call those "fun features" not something critical.


And not necessary with a Civic, because it won't let you lock your keys in the car! You have to lock the driver's door with the key, which serves to avoid that problem. Again, a simple and elegant design solution by Honda, rather than a marketing (read costly) solution by GM.

And with cell phones, there is also less need for OnStar.

Harry

I knew the conservatives would be all over this one. Its a private company offering an option.

The problem comes the day the police contact onstart and have a car stopped because the driving isn't pulling over....not that I care about some idiot who refuses to pull over when ordered to by the police...especially if they are drunk, speeding, and/or driving a vehicle reported as stolen. However once that line is crossed, then there will be a real issue. And what about Mr & Mrs X....Mr X calls & reports his car stolen & the police find the vehicle and order a stop....but something gets messed up & they stop Mrs X's car...which stops in the middle of an interstate, or in a bad neighborhood, or as it was crossing a railroad....there are some definate dangers, but no one should complain about an option...except its more like a software options...all the hardware is there, nothing has to be turned on or enabled, so in theory they could "enable" the subscription at any time even if the customer doesn't want it. Easy solution to that, they need to have a sync button in the car. To enable you call onstall, you tell them what you want to do, they add you & tell you to press the button. The car is then enabled to receive an "on" command...dont' think they have anything like that.

It's voluntary. They won't simply shut off the engine. When police use a bait car to catch thieves they don't turn off the car until they can see the vehicle and traffic conditions so that they can safely turn it off. What's likely to happen is they'll first try to get a gps location of the vehicle (something offered in Lojack systems), they'll first try to get the vehicle pulled over if in motion. If the driver trys to run then for the safety of the public on the road they can ask OnStar to slow and stop the vehicle. Much better option than a high speed chase that the television news always blame on the cops instead of the criminals.