by ALEX REID via driving.ca
Toyota has patented an anti-theft deterrent that involves spraying a potential hijacker with tear gas if the vehicle is stolen.
The actual patent is titled “Vehicle Fragrance Dispenser,” and is designed with three functions in mind: an actual fragrance to “improve the mood of occupants”; a deodorizer that will remove odors; and the final and most uncharacteristic of Toyota, a tear gas dispenser that will activate in case “an illegitimate engine start has been detected by an immobilizer of the vehicle.”
The system is controlled via an automatic link to the driver’s smartphone, and can change the fragrance based on who’s driving.
If you’re not a registered driver but sit in the driver’s seat, well, you get gassed—sort of like a whoopie cushion, except instead of being embarrassed, you are blinded.
(Of course, it could also be quite embarrassing if you were to get into the car and the “deodorizer” function sprayed some Axe around the cabin, we suppose.)
BMW and Mercedes already have systems like this which can dispense a desired fragrance using a selection of pods, but the German brands don’t go so far as to gas intruders.
This truly is a James Bond-style gadget, and maybe it will preview a future ejector seat! Or, you know… an automatic parking lockout that won’t blind the driver while the car is moving.
While it all sounds very malicious, I’m sure we’ve all wanted to spray the person that stole our car with tear gas; unfortunately we can’t help but think that Toyota’s record of reliability with things that aren’t supposed to explode in your face but do anyway might turn buyers away from a system designed to harm the driver.