Michael Zimmer.org

InformationWeek reports that IBM has made a $125 million deal to build an automobile-monitoring system and install a device in cars to track drivers in the United Arab Emirates. The technical details:

CERT Telematics has committed to buy at least 100,000 PDA-like units, which will be installed within automobile carriages, Ziter says. The telematics device will use multiple microprocessors based on IBM’s Power Architecture, and will have the capability to monitor the speed of the vehicle and send out a warning if the car surpasses the posted speed limit. IBM engineers will design the infrastructure for the traffic-tracking system. Wireless access points, which will monitor the devices, will be installed on street lights and other places along the roadway.

The telematic device will include several wireless technologies, including GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) cellular capabilities and General Packet Radio Service. Bluetooth and an optional driver-identification feature using RFID also will be on the device

This effort mirrors the Vehicle Safety Communication initiative in the US, which has serious privacy-related concerns.
[via PrivacyDigest]

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