May 14, 2024 16:00:00

British police are developing a backpack terminal that will emit an electromagnetic pulse to forcibly stop the motors of electric bicycles and electric kickboards in the UK, where crimes using electric bicycles are common

In recent years, electric bikes with pedals called '

mopeds ' and electric kick scooters have become popular due to amendments to the Road Traffic Act , but many problems have been pointed out, such as the high incidence of personal injury accidents caused by drivers of these vehicles. In addition, there have been many crimes in the UK, such as snatch thefts using electric bicycles and electric kick scooters, and as a countermeasure, the UK police are considering introducing backpack devices that can forcibly stop the engines of electric bicycles, electric scooters, and electric kick scooters.

UK police could get Ghostbusters-style backpack devices to halt ebike getaways | Police | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/may/13/uk-police-ghostbusters-style-backpack-devices-ebike-getaways

The device, developed jointly by the UK Ministry of Defence's

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and the UK police, works by firing an electromagnetic pulse at a vehicle that needs to be stopped, tricking the motor into thinking it is overheating, which in turn activates safety systems and forces the vehicle to stop.

The device was unveiled at the Farnborough Technology Show in early 2024. At the time, Gavin Stevens of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said, 'This giant backpack-like device could also be useful for conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.'

British police have already introduced technology to remotely stop cars using radio waves and electromagnetic waves. However, with the recent spread of electric bicycles and electric scooters, there has been

a rise in crimes such as snatching pedestrians' smartphones and running into alleys. 'The problem is that electric bicycles are traveling at high speeds in city and urban areas,' Stevens said.

The device is being developed under the direction of NPCC's chief scientific adviser, Paul Taylor, but Stevens said: 'The device is still in development and it may be several months or more before it is ready for use.'