MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

But you have no choice. Unless you have Raptor installed in your car. You can then use your mobile phone to "instruct" the onboard Raptor, an automotive security system, to lock the car for you instantly, without worries and trouble. An SMS will later inform you once the doors had been locked. Interestingly, Raptor empowers a single phone to control unlimited number of cars.

The security system, of course, does more than just locking and unlocking the doors. It can also start or stop the engine, the air-conditioning, and alert you of a forced entry, or when your car is being removed unauthorised - all through the use of your mobile phone.

Your phone will have a simple menu interface, which you can access to send commands to activate the functions.

A user-defined four digit personal information number (PIN) code must be keyed in to authorise the user before each command is sent out for added security.

In addition to the phone-controlled functions above, Raptor features vehicle tracking capabilities, anti-theft, panic button for car jacking and emergency situations, roadside assistance button, immobiliser, auto alarm trigger and voice communication.

Roll Out
Raptor, whose target users include car manufacturers, fleet management companies, and the mass market, is co-developed by Celcom (M) Sdn Bhd, Smart-Arms (M) Sdn Bhd, APM Industries Holdings Bhd (APMI), and Arab-Malaysian Assurance Bhd.

APMI acts as the systems integrator for the product, while Celcom, via its nationwide GSM network, provides the dataline that links Raptor-enabled cars to a control centre.

The centre will be managed by Smart-Arms when it is ready in March. Finally, Arab Malaysia Assurance provides Raptor users insurance package and other benefits, such as personal accident coverage and term life insurance.

According to Wan Aznan Wan Ali from Celcom's government segment division for special project management, the security system is currently being offered to car manufacturers and fleet management companies.

"This year, new Proton cars like Wira, Waja and Perdana will install Raptor as a standard feature, while Perodua, Volvo and Ford have shown interest to possibly install Raptor in their car either as a standard or optional accessory," says Wan Aznan.

Meanwhile, for the mass market, Raptor will only be available in the second quarter this year. However, there is a catch.

"You must be a Celcom GSM subscriber to utilise Raptor. We want to make it exclusive to our approximately two million GSM subscribers," Wan Aznan informs. "We have no plans yet to offer Raptor to customers who are other mobile networks," he adds, obviously comfortable with the two million subscriber market segment.

How It Works
Based on global systems for mobile communication (GSM) and global positioning system (GPS) technologies, Raptor automatically alerts the control centre and vehicle owners on their mobile phones whenever the vehicle's security is being compromised.

Once the signal is received, a vehicle recovery procedure, such as vehicle immobilisation, is initiated by the control centre. The location of the vehicle is then identified on street-level digital maps, supplied by Map Info Sdn Bhd, and authorities such as the police are informed immediately.

The control centre has a leased line connected to the Royal Malaysian Police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur and links up third-party bureau services like Automobile Association Malaysia, the paramedics, and private response companies to offer road-side assistance and emergency services.

And in event of car jacking, users can push a hidden panic button to alert the control centre, which in return will record and listen to any ongoing conversation in the car.

The recorded conversation will be forwarded to the police for ensuing investigation.

Raptor will cost around RM2,500 to RM3,000 for the mass market, but there are plans to lower the price, says Wan Aznan. For fleet management companies, the cost will vary depending on the customised features they want in the system, he adds.

More To Come
New features are already in the pipeline. For one, Web-based vehicle tracking will be introduced in second quarter this year, says Wan Aznan. He also says that as the system matures, users, with their phones, can perform remote diagnotics and locate their cars.

Later, info-services such as news and traffic information can be streamed into the cars, to value-add Raptor's core security functions, he reveals.