Member Article

Oxfordshire car security innovation wins international acclaim

A British developed device for preventing vehicle theft without the keys has won a major international award for innovation, just six months after being launched.

Pioneered by Banbury based automotive security specialist, On Board Defence, the signal-blocking PORTECTOR triumphed at the prestigious Innovation Awards, organised by Automechanika in Frankfurt, Europe’s largest automotive trade show (13-17 September).

Taking the winner’s laurels in the Electronics and Systems category, PORTECTOR was applauded by the panel of nine expert judges for its efficacy in preventing the growing problem of keyless vehicle theft, known as electronic compromise, without the need for hard wiring.

Over a year in development and having been subjected to months of rigorous testing, the tamper-proof device, which uses a model-specific plug-in harness, stops data communication from the On Board Diagnostic (OBD) port, so that thieves are unable to bypass a car’s immobiliser. PORTECTOR is the first solution of its kind to achieve certification from Thatcham Research.

Paul Chase, Managing Director, On Board Defence, said that the company’s latest innovation, which is professionally installed, brings peace of mind to motorists:

“Even the newest cars are vulnerable to electronic compromise and many can be stolen in under 60 seconds. We believe that millions of cars are currently vulnerable. Thieves can acquire sophisticated hand-held signal-jamming and bypass tools online, as it’s not yet illegal to sell them. This has helped to reverse a 20-year trend in declining vehicle theft but PORTECTOR is a proven method of combatting this latest method. We are therefore delighted to receive this international recognition.”

Matthew Wright, Head of Commercial Services at Thatcham Research said:

“The methods may have grown more sophisticated but the fight against vehicle crime remains a top priority. On Board Defence should be congratulated for producing a robust aftermarket solution to add to the multi-layered industry approach to OBD protection.”

Ends

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by On Board Defence .