Remploy helps in hi-tech fight against vehicle crime

Marketed under the NavTrak and CobraTrak brands, Cobra’s products include the option of Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR). The ADR card is a discreet, pocket-sized card that the driver carries separately from the keys. On leaving the car (with the ADR card), the system automatically arms itself. If the vehicle is moved without the ADR card present, Cobra’s Secure Operating Centre is alerted instantly to a potential theft. The alert activates even if the correct car keys are used – this offers protection against the increasing number of crimes where the vehicles are taken using keys stolen from houses or personal possessions.

Being able to track the location of a stolen vehicle – and even remotely prevent it from being restarted (under instruction from the Police) – greatly increases the likelihood of a car being recovered undamaged.

The ADR card is essentially a small, battery-powered PCB, which is manufactured by Remploy Electronics. Remploy won a three-way pitch for the business and Chris Cooper, Operations Director of Cobra UK, commented: “Our main selection criteria were based on capability and we were very impressed by Remploy’s level of expertise and professionalism during the bidding process. Overall our experience of working with Remploy has been very good and the production quality has been excellent.”

Remploy manufactures the products at its Bolton site, which has received significant investment in SMT production, wave soldering and AOI test equipment during the past two years. Remploy Bolton was also recently honoured for the high numbers of its staff that have successfully completed level 2 NVQ programmes in electronics.