Sublethal Camera Gun Examined

I certainly wouldn't enable the Sublethal skill on Alexa

The 30 meter control range limit makes it sound like it can only be controlled wirelessly. It is not clear from the report exactly what the controller to camera communications protocol and signaling method is, how specific the 30 meter limit is, etc.

It seems like the device does not reside on an IP network, so it probably couldn't be hacked from the internet. It is possible though that the wireless control signal could be taken over, this would be a particular risk the if the company tried to develop their own RF signaling and/or encryption here (it is extremely hard to roll your own cryptography that actually prevents attacks). Of course, if they used off the shelf components, attackers could find weaknesses in those to exploit as well.

The most likely exploit scenario I would see would be an attacker having a device that connects to local cameras and just shoots out all the ammo, leaving the property more vulnerable to an attack. This is not very hard to imagine considering similar units for stealing cars, etc. It might be even easier to just have an RF jammer that prevents the command and control of the units, rendering them useless.

This is, to me, one of those neat ideas that works well for a short time, but then has risk of becoming too popular and in the cat-and-mouse game of security attackers start to find ways to disable them. The mechanism itself looks like it could be disabled in a number of ways (throw a rope over it attach to a cinder block, tarp over the top, jamb a stick in the mechanism, etc.). 

Good question, Brian. The system as it exists now is not networked. Here is Sublethal's statement on that:

We have been working on IP controlled remote guns for a while and it does work in the lab but we have decided not to test it for now in the field. Remote guns are a very new product and it will take time for people to become comfortable with the technology. Only when there is a lot of trust and experience will it be prudent to bring out something like an IP system. We will also need to do some serious work on figuring out a way to prevent hackers from taking control of a remote gun controlled over the internet. That is why we decided to make a very simple, un-hackable remote gun that gives the users total control, and liability if they abuse it.

This is how I would 'hack it'.

They should actually try "Policing" first. I lived there for a year and never saw Police patrolling etc. 

Good point. Perhaps the shooter would argue they feard that once the intruder secured the getaway vehicle, he'd head inside to burgle and murder?

@Jason, you're correct. In fact, though it wasn't mentioned in the story Sublethal does say on its website that gun can accommodate Pepper balls:

I totally agree with you. Even with a non-lethal weapon you cannot be sure that your actions will not cause death. There were many accidents in the past when even a semi-strong hit on the head was lethal in a fight because the victim had a medical condition before.

Killing someone with a non-lethal weapon is still a murder. I assume that is why they emphasize that only use this device if your life is in danger.

I am not sure I would be able to restrain myself from lighting up some car thief in my driveway with this.

Example #8,257 of why gun laws are so stringent in NYC...

Hello, Skip. I wanted to thank you for your feedback and concern re: Ken's quotes in the story. I did double check the quotes and can assure you that I did not take his words out of any context. I also contacted Ken to ask him to clarify. Here is his response:

Castle doctrine is stand your ground in the house.  Some states do require that you have reasonable basis to fear for your life, even in your home.  I don't think that's a very high bar when you are confronted in your home in the middle of the night.  You can't trap people, even intruders, lure them into the house and then kill them.  I am sure that different circumstances can have different consequences. Google castle doctrine and you'll get more info than you want. All I know is if someone comes into my house, day or night, I'll do whatever is necessary to protect my family.

I saw this article in LinkedIn and I am not a member of IPVM, but was really interested to see how IPVM would report on this system knowing that it is a system that was developed in South Africa for South African environments. So I asked a friend that is a member to login so that I could read the article and perhaps give some insight as to the current situation in South Africa and way these types of systems are designed.

I the same as #10 being a ex South African now living overseas.

I have first hand experience in the brutal invasion of property and the intention behind it I have lost Friends and family that has had their children placed in bath of boiling water while their mom was tied down and made to watch how they are burned. Wife being raped in front of their husbands before they got shot in the head for no reason. women get burnt with hot irons while they are raped and after all that they get gutted and killed in front of the kids... A short but very true and accurate description of what it going on in South Africa. Most homes are surrounded with 6 to 8 foot fencing and on top of that they have electric fencing. Windows are covered with solid iron bars to try and slow down intruders.

Intruders don't arrive with a knife and a flash lite... they come armed with AK47 and range of hand guns, Cell phone Jamming systems so that they can't call for help or the police.

Now South Africa as most other countries have laws in place that addresses society in a normal and moral way and that have put in place laws that governs  its people based on a western civilized environment.

Unfortunately the police are as corrupt as they can come, Hence the Boomslang system was developed out of desperation and necessity to try and stop or at least try and slow the invasion down so that the owner of the property can call for help of a two-way radio or other means to its neighbors or closest farm that could be 30 miles away for assistance.

For most in South Africa it about survival and most of the invasion is not to just steal your car or the kids bike it has a must more serious intent.

However I must say that I am happy to see that IPVM has looked at it in the sense of will it work in the US or other western world countries. I think that it will be a very hard system to implement in most countries in its current form and will most probable be over the top and have some serious legal challenges.

I for one think that their is more to the boomslang system and possible configuration options that just shoots a rubber bullet working of gas. HIK Cameras or not. When you place my Family at risk I will do anything to protect them or subject my children to such trauma

I commend the designers of the boomslang system for their innovative approach to try and find ways to slow down or perhaps deter possible home invasions. 

Dan, did you forget to include the link? It says the link below, but I don't see anything.