IP License Plates

By John Honovich, Published Jun 01, 2018, 09:08am EDT

IP cameras, IP speakers, IP toasters... IP license plates?

The next generation of license plates is making mainstream news, being called 'digital' and 'smart'. One thing they certainly are is networked as these license plates will be connected to the cloud for remote update and management.

Here is a news video that overviews the plates:

What impact might this have for the security market and for license plate recognition? We examine in this note.

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Vote / ****

Comments (24)

Undisclosed #1

06/01/18 01:23pm

One large potential security benefit is being able to know and report the real-time positioning of cars. This could be then used for responding to emergencies or more broadly tracking suspects or wanted individuals.

Or selling the data to repo agencies. Or tracking someone down over an unpaid parking ticket, past-due water bill, or who knows what else.

I didn't love the OnStar system in my GM vehicle, due to the ability for misuse, but was kind of OK with it because it was the vehicle manufacturer, not a government agency. Not a fan of installing any kind of device with live-tracking capabilities that is administered by fed/state/local governments.

Hard pass.

Undisclosed Integrator #10

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/05/18 05:43pm

Feel the same way about your smart phone?

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

06/01/18 01:39pm

Strap a $700 tablet on one of the most vulnerable spots of your car.  What could possibly go wrong?  I don't think people realize how many times your car gets bumped/tapped/scraped in parking lots and in every day life. 

Stephen Schulz

IPVMU Certified | 06/01/18 01:49pm

Great, something else to be hacked and something else to raise costs.

KISS

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

06/01/18 02:00pm

and now for some technology nobody asked for...

Undisclosed End User #4

06/01/18 02:43pm

Alexa... find my car

Undisclosed End User #4

06/01/18 02:46pm

I'm in if it integrates with my Mr. Microphone

Undisclosed Distributor #5

06/01/18 03:05pm

I don't see any issues with a $700.00, hack-able, license plate at all.

Michael Miller

06/01/18 03:14pm

If you can track these remotely do you even need ALPR anymore.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Michael Miller | 06/01/18 03:20pm

For those who are given real-time access to such positioning information, yes. Who, if anyone, gets them remains to be seen.

Undisclosed #6

06/01/18 03:43pm

Wait! X2? How many States require a front plate also.

OH. What about all those vehicles towing with ding in the plate from trailer hitch bouncing into them when hooking up.

Yada yada yada

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed #6 | 06/01/18 03:48pm

Seems like an easy way to get off the grid.  Smash your IP Plate and claim it was a parking lot error/etc.

 

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John Scanlan

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/01/18 04:13pm

You may not even need smash it yourself...I imagine kids will do it for sport, like hood ornament hunting.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/01/18 04:36pm

And now you've destroyed state property of over $500 value, as well....

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Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | 06/01/18 04:11pm

How long until someone rails against 'all the lost jobs in the prison plate-shop' because of this?

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Jim Voige

IPVMU Certified | 06/01/18 05:04pm

What could possibly go wrong it is brought to you by the Government. They have a stellar track record with projects like this!

Undisclosed Manufacturer #7

06/01/18 11:59pm

Maybe if I could get paid to advertise on it, like youtube ads.

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Alan Grant

IPVMU Certified | 06/03/18 01:54am

Among other things I work closely with LPR systems in my current job and seems everything the IP license plate purports to offer LPR can essentially already do - stolens, uninsureds, vehicle description, etc - all without the unnecessary steps of the IP solution, including the potential damage it could easily incur.

Nifty idea on the surface until you drill down into the practical layers. That said, I am never one to trash any novel ideas. Keep them coming, that's how we progress.

 

Undisclosed End User #8

06/03/18 06:15am

Excellent initiative. Like any other new technology, it may have few glitches during first version of implementation. But it shall be extremely useful once it reaches maturity level.

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David McNeill

06/05/18 11:38am

And a bunch of other problems...

Over burden cellular systems in traffic jamb events
Battery drain on parked vehicles
Use a lot of tablet raw materials, rare earths run out quicker
Will attract more roadkill bugs & critters
Unreadable in bright sunlight
Very likely deficient on older vehicles - those more likely to be queried
Software 'updates' crashing the entire fleet
Bright/dark pixels reducing clarity
Trashed by lightening/flooding/rain/hail/high temperatures/ice/stones/fire
Useless just after an accident, when they are most needed
EMF pollution (like smart meters)
Unsuited to junk yard 'collectors'

They seem to be against every design principle of 'real' licence plates

Simple
Durable
Reliable
Visible
Immutable
Reflective
Homogeneous
Cost effective

Undisclosed End User #8

In reply to David McNeill | 06/05/18 12:07pm

Impressive analysis. 

On environmental damage, there are merits in avoiding such electronic gadgets. 

While 5G will take care of the cellular coverage, it may be better idea to add some intelligence in the car itself or the number plate by adding some chip. This may provide location (current and history), vehicle ownership, speed etc in much efficient way than how we get it today.

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Sean Patton

IPVM | In reply to David McNeill | 06/05/18 12:59pm

I agree with your design principle critique, and most of your points but I do have some contrasting thoughts as well, mostly related to the plate displays being e-ink screens. They will have very low battery drain, low EMF pollution (albeit more than a standard plate), should be readable in bright sunlight, and shouldn't attract more roadkill bugs/critters than a standard plate.

 

Undisclosed #9

IPVMU Certified | 06/05/18 05:36pm

Finally I can change the default:

 

Undisclosed Integrator #10

06/05/18 05:47pm

I'm sure these will work great at -30C in the northern states and Canada.

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