IPN student creates voice activation system to reduce car theft

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A student of Mexico's National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) , created a theft-proof device that reprograms vehicles to obey the motorist’s spoken commands.

This technology could make the use of keys unnecessary to start a car, according to its developer Jesús Arturo Neri Franco , who explained that the system only recognizes the words "start" and "go away" for the total control of the car, as well as for the manipulation of headlights.

"Its main advantage is that the car becomes theft proof, because there will be no way for the robber to start the vehicle, only the voice of the owner can do it," the student added.

He added that with this system, auto-theft rates could be reduced, because according to the Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions (AMIS) this crime in Mexico City (CDMX) reached the record figure of 27,220 between December 2016 and January 2018 , which makes it the third entity with the most car thefts in the country.

Arturo Neri Franco indicated that by installing the Arduinner SIAV system the ignition of the car is completely disabled by means of keys, buttons, or cards.

The development changes the vehicles’ ignition mode to voice activation. It consists of an open-source device called arduino, and a voice processor, which converts analog signals to digital so that the car can follow orders, he said.

The student of the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (ESIME), Azcapotzalco Unit , indicated that none of the internal computer’s components is modified during the installation process. The device is meant to adapt to any car model in the market starting from the year 2000 onwards.

Neri Franco mentioned that prototype tests were carried out on a Malibu car of 2005 and on a Smart 2017, none of which presented any problems during the installation.

The keywords with which the car is activated are personalized, users may choose numbers, names, and any Spanish word.

The student is currently participating at the Solutions for the Future Contest "Prize for Polytechnic Entrepreneurship 2018" with his new invention.