Prof. Samantha Clarke
In response to the rise in criminal activities involving electric scooters and e-bikes, UK police are working on the development of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) device that can disable the electric motors of these vehicles. The growing popularity of electric micromobility options has provided individuals with convenient and eco-friendly alternatives for transportation. However, this has also opened doors for criminals due to the vehicles’ speed, accessibility, and near-silent operation.
The Defence Science and Technology Lab, in collaboration with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, is developing a portable EMP device that can be strapped to a backpack, much like something out of the movie “Ghostbusters.” This device can emit an electromagnetic pulse and interfere with the control circuit of a suspected e-bike or electric scooter, resulting in the shutdown of its electric motor. The chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Gavin Stephens, has mentioned that the device could potentially be available in a few months.
Although the intention behind this development is to assist law enforcement in apprehending e-criminals, there are concerns about its effectiveness. While shutting down the electric motor may slow down the suspect, it is unlikely to completely halt their escape. Criminals can still pedal manually or potentially develop hardened e-bike systems that can withstand an EMP attack.
Furthermore, there are worries about the collateral damage this device might cause. With the device requiring a clear line of sight to the target, there is a risk of unintentionally affecting other devices nearby, such as smartphones. The hope is that the device will be harmless to humans and other devices, but there are no guarantees.
As the UK police continue to explore technological solutions to combat electric scooter-based crimes, it remains to be seen how effective these measures will be in practice. While the development of an EMP device shows promise, there are still practical challenges and potential unintended consequences that need to be addressed.
The rise in criminal activities involving electric scooters and e-bikes has prompted UK police to develop an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) device to disable the electric motors of these vehicles. With the increasing popularity of electric micromobility options, criminals have taken advantage of their speed, accessibility, and silent operation.
The Defence Science and Technology Lab, in partnership with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, is working on a portable EMP device that can be attached to a backpack. This device emits an electromagnetic pulse that interferes with the control circuit of e-bikes and electric scooters, leading to the shutdown of their electric motors. The National Police Chiefs’ Council chair, Gavin Stephens, suggests that the device could potentially become available in a few months.
While the intention behind the EMP device is to aid law enforcement in apprehending e-criminals, there are concerns about its effectiveness. Shutting down the electric motor may slow down the suspect, but it is unlikely to completely halt their escape. Criminals can still pedal manually or develop e-bike systems that are resistant to EMP attacks.
Another concern relates to the potential collateral damage caused by the device. Since it requires a clear line of sight to the target, there is a risk of inadvertently affecting other nearby devices, such as smartphones. Although it is hoped that the device will have no adverse effects on humans and other devices, there are no guarantees.
As the UK police continue to explore technological solutions to combat electric scooter-related crimes, it is yet to be seen how effective these measures will be in practice. The development of the EMP device holds promise, but there are practical challenges and potential unintended consequences that need to be addressed.
For more information about the electric scooter and e-bike industry and related market forecasts, you can visit the following links:
– electrive: electrive provides news and analysis on electric mobility, including electric scooters and e-bikes.
– Clean Energy Wire: Clean Energy Wire covers renewable energy and clean transportation topics, which encompass the electric scooter and e-bike industry.
– Bloomberg: Bloomberg offers insights and analysis on various industries, including the electric micromobility market, with a focus on market forecasts and trends.
These links will provide you with additional information about the industry, market forecasts, and issues related to electric scooters and e-bikes.
