How to Stop a Runaway Toyota: Use EMP

The device you are about to read here is perhaps just what Japanese carmaker Toyota needs to put the brakes on its out-of-control recall. What Toyota and the police need, that is. All you movie-savvy, sci-fi freaks out there know by now what an EMP, or electromagnetic pulse is: a burst of magnetic energy, usually the result of an explosion of a nuclear nature.

Although under study within military labs for years now, EMPs are still out of reach for civilian use. That was until Eureka Aerospace started working, a few years back, on a purpose-built-police-toy utilizing an EM pulse.

Eureka called its toy High Powered Electro Magnetic System (HPEMS) and, thanks to Popular Science, a new demonstration now shows us how difficult it will be in future years for wannabe criminals to evade police aboard any given car.

HPEMS will allow police departments to bring vehicles to a complete stop without engaging in dangerous pursuits and without harming any occupants in the pursued car (except, of course, if one of them wears a pacemaker).

HPEMS can send an EMP to a distance of up to 656 feet (200 m). Piece of advice for criminals: the EMP only works on modern cars, which are fitted with some type of electronics. If you still value your freedom, we advice you use a car built prior to 1965-1970, as these are still a go...

Now, just imagine the million ways in which this technology can go wrong...We'll come back with details in a few days.