"Voice-activated" Cruisers - Update

[RO56]

Looks like MSP is pretty happy so far ...

Troopers' high-tech tool a winner, hands-down
Patrol officers talk up Visteon's TACNET
Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News

Michigan State Police Trooper Rene Gonzales talks to his car while patrol- ling Michigan's freeways.

And he's not at all surprised when the car talks back.

Gonzales is one of a handful of troopers who pilot patrol cars that respond to voice commands via a new high-tech software program called TACNET. Developed for police vehicles by Visteon Corp., TACNET has been tested in half a dozen Michigan State Police vehicles. The department said it hopes to install it in 50 more in the next two years.

Full story: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...ETRO/608080346

[Robb]

Yah, I remember seeing a video of an Officer using that sort of technology in his patrol car up in NH. I think the link might have even been on here. Anyone have it? Still cool stuff though. :D


http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/1....ap/index.html

There is the story atleast.

Video for those that didnt see it before..

http://www.project54.unh.edu/overview/demo.html

[Valor55]

We have 6 or 8 brand new cars sitting in the parking lot since January. We can't even get the city to install our equipment in them. Implementing technology like that would take decades with the fine city efficiency we have.

[mpd145]

im not gunna lie.....that is badd

[MetPC]

Just like having a rookie in the passenger seat, computer can't pass my coffee to me though :rolleyes:

[Darin]

We have 6 or 8 brand new cars sitting in the parking lot since January. We can't even get the city to install our equipment in them. Implementing technology like that would take decades with the fine city efficiency we have.

That's crazy!!!!!

[Robb]

We have 6 or 8 brand new cars sitting in the parking lot since January. We can't even get the city to install our equipment in them. Implementing technology like that would take decades with the fine city efficiency we have.

Well atleast you guys HAVE the cars, around here they are 4 cars behind where they are suppose to be.

[JakeLock]

Cars? You guys have cars? We still have to do everything on foot. Our HP and County guys hate it, but we're all in really good shape! :D















Anyone who's seen my picture knows I'm a liar... lol

[Valor55]

Well atleast you guys HAVE the cars, around here they are 4 cars behind where they are suppose to be.

That's funny. We are 37 down in our fleet (which isn't large to begin with.) Patrol has had to scarf up every available marked cruiser in other units (like mine.) Several cars don't have any functioning A/C and they can't get fixed because there is nothing to replace them with. We are literally at the bottom of the barrel while 8 brand new '06s with temp tags that EXPIRED 2-3-06 sit rotting in a parking lot. The city department of technology (we don't have our own) is flexing their muscles in a pissing contest with the radio shop over who controls the laptops and won't configure several dozen we need until they are good and ready. Our chief doesn't have the stones to tell the Department of Technology to get off their butts and configure the laptops so the rest of the gear can get installed and the car can go into service. Meanwhile our car's radiators are blowing up and the air conditioners are blowing up and we are going to be doubling units. We are at minimum staffing already. We don't have cars to put the rookies in this week when they go out on their own. They'll have to double up just because we don't have the equipment they need to do their jobs. [/rant]

[JakeLock]

Now that sucks. The city just bought three new cars, 1 '06 CV and 2 '06 Impalas. The city council demanded the city buy two front wheel drive v-6's (another group of people who've never done the job telling others how to do the job).

Only took about 3 months to get them into service.

Your situation is definately a crap one. Being up here in the snow caps, AC isn't used all that terribly often, so, as far as I know, all the cities cars AC still works...

When I was with the city a few weeks back an attempted sexual assault on a hotel employee came across the radio and we were about 3 blocks away, we got there and hauled *** inside. While waiting on the warrant, to get into the suspects room, the Impala continued running outside. It was in the 90's that day and when we got back into the car nearly 4 hours later, there was ice hanging off the air vents! So far that's the only good thing I've seen about the new Impala's.

[Darin]

Valor I think Botetourt Sheriffs Office is hiring. :D


Once we get a new car in, it's usually on the road in about 2 weeks.

[sbrad]

Dang Valor. I feel bad for driving my new car now that I know your situation. I'll make sure the other 31 guys that are driving new cars feel bad too.

[Valor55]

And to boot most of our cars have mega miles on them. 60,000 is brand new...

[V Hanna]

All that money spent, and they still patrol major highways with one round bubble gum light!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At least update to LED Lights...
V

[cntryboy0531]

And to boot most of our cars have mega miles on them. 60,000 is brand new...

We must work for the same department. I was really happy with my department when I first got on, but now, I can't help but agree with everyone that groans about our car situation, overtime situation, and equipment situation.

Sheriff encourages everyone to get on a specialty unit and do something they love, but we don't get paid for OT and have to flex it off. Which results in management getting pissed when you tell them you have OT (even if it is because you made two trips to fleet in two weeks for broken cars, and worked three funerals and a viewing for dead cops :rolleyes: )

Oh yeah, and for car's. We just spent countless dollars buying brand new 2006 impalas....

All for the Sgt's, Lt's, Captain's, Chief's, and Sheriff and undersheriff. Patrol deputy's are still riding around in cars with 130,000-150,000 miles on them.

As for the Sgt's cars that are marked (and only need cages), they were refurbished and sent to detectives (who have more brand new car's than patrol, and have a lot of nice spares sitting around waiting), or auctioned off. God forbid patrol gets new ones.

It's pretty messed up when I'm driving around a car that has HOLES in the floor, vibrates badly once it reaches highway speeds, is not able to operate the lightbar, headlights, siren, flashlight charger, and laptop charger without the battery almost dying unless I turn off the laptop power supply. and it's the best car I've had so far. And it only has 91,000 miles on it.

We have no more spare marked units left. If we need one, we'll be taking them from an Off-Duty Deputy.

I really like my job, I think I'm just really considering going to another department when my contract goes up in 2008.