OnStar Introduces Remote Ignition Block

The good old days for bad guys are drawing close to an end, as new technologies tend to make grand-theft-auto a type of an extreme sport. OnStar doesn't help hard-working criminals either, as it announced today the introduction of the Remote Ignition Block, a technology which will allow "an OnStar Advisor to send a remote signal to a subscriber’s stolen vehicle to prevent the vehicle from restarting once the ignition is turned off."

"Remote Ignition Block is a prime example of the rapid pace of technological innovation underway at OnStar. We are developing services desired by our subscribers that deliver important societal benefits as well,” Chet Huber, OnStar president said when announcing the technology.

“Technology like Stolen Vehicle Slowdown and now Remote Ignition Block will improve the chances of apprehending suspected car thieves and are great assets to the law enforcement community” Michigan’s Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard added. “Removing an instrument of harm from the hands of criminals improves the safety of our officers, our highways and our citizens."

So, how does it work? First of all, you need to have your car stolen. Once that's taken care of, an OnStar subscriber reports the stolen vehicle to authorities and requests stolen vehicle assistance from OnStar. Law enforcement agencies provide OnStar with confirmation the car is indeed stolen, and the system pinpoints its location, and sends a remote signal to prevent stolen vehicle from starting the next time someone attempts to start it.

So, piece of advice to wannabe car thieves: if you steal a GM car, make sure you keep the engine running...They'll still know where you are, but you can always drive away again...

The system will become available on GM vehicles built in 2009 and 2010, both in the US and Canada, with prices for the service yet to be disclosed.