July 17, 2008
18 year old from Mombasa invents “Block & Track”, a mobile phone-based anti-theft device and vehicle tracking system
Morris Mbetsa, an 18 year old self-taught inventor with no formal electronics training from the coastal tourist town of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean has invented the “Block & Track”, a mobile phone-based anti-theft device and vehicle tracking system. Afrigadget reports.
"The real-time system uses a combination of voice, DTMF and SMS text messages over cell-based phone service to carry codes and messages that allow control of some of a vehicles’ electrical systems including the ignition to manage vehicle activation and disabling remotely in real time.
Another feature of the system is the capacity to poll the vehicle owner by mobile phone for permission to start when the ignition is turned in real time as well as eavesdrop on conversation in the vehicle.
Mbetsa is now looking for funding to commercially develop his proof of concept and bring it to the market as reported in this video carried on the Kenya Television Network earlier this year.
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