18 year old self-taught electronics “genius” invents mobile phone-based vehicle anti-theft system.

Morris Mbetsa, an 18 year old self-taught inventor with no formal electronics training from the coastal tourist town of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean in Kenya, has invented the “Block & Track”, a mobile phone-based anti-theft device and vehicle tracking system.

The system, that Mbetsa created by combining technology from projects that he has completed in the past, uses a combination of voice, DTMF and SMS text messages over cell-based phone service to carry codes and messages that allow control of some of a vehicles’ electrical systems including the ignition to manage vehicle activation and disabling remotely in real time.

Another feature of the system is the capacity to poll the vehicle owner by mobile phone for permission to start when the ignition is turned in real time as well as eavesdrop on conversation in the vehicle.

Mbetsa is now looking for funding to commercially develop his proof of concept and bring it to the market as reported on this video carried on the Kenya Television Network earlier this year.

via 69MB.

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18 comments for this post.

Comment from Piyush K
17 July 2008 - 3:15 am - :

Well Done Dude! Have a wonderful future ahead…

Cheers : )

Comment from Ruud Elmendorp
17 July 2008 - 7:09 am - :

Hi there,

Does anybody has the guys’ contacts?

It’s for a video news report.

Thanks!

Ruud Elmendorp
Video Journalist Africa
http://www.videoreporter.nl
+254 736 746 312

Comment from Ikem Nzeribe
17 July 2008 - 9:28 am - :

Damn, kid… you’re smart. Africa: innovate, innovate, innovate!

Comment from Productionfloor.com » Blog Archive » Carjacking
17 July 2008 - 12:31 pm - :

[...] AfriGadget. Morris Mbetsa, an 18 year old self-taught inventor with no formal electronics training from the [...]

Comment from louis
21 July 2008 - 11:42 am - :

here is another afrigadget
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogh_8jQsTxE

Comment from Teenager hacks together hardware for controlling your car via phone | numobile
28 July 2008 - 9:02 pm - :

[...] the next time you’re in Mombasa. Follow the break for a video of the system in action.[Via AfriGadget]Continue reading Teenager hacks together hardware for controlling your car via [...]

Comment from » Teenager hacks together hardware for controlling your car via phone | Latest Gadget Guide Review
28 July 2008 - 9:12 pm - :

[...] the next time you’re in Mombasa. Follow the break for a video of the system in action.[Via AfriGadget]Continue reading Teenager hacks together hardware for controlling your car via [...]

Comment from Teenager hacks together hardware for controlling your car via phone - Pocket.Info - Mobile 2.0 - Pocket.Info - Mobile 2.0
28 July 2008 - 10:10 pm - :

[...] the next time you're in Mombasa. Follow the break for a video of the system in action.[Via AfriGadget]Continue reading Teenager hacks together hardware for controlling your car via [...]

Comment from Patrick Jones
30 July 2008 - 7:24 am - :

Would anyone know his contacts or the TV station’s contacts?

Comment from GEARFUSE » Kenyan Teenager Invents Automobile Anti-Theft System
30 July 2008 - 7:54 am - :

[...] Link (via) Read More Anti-Theft Combination Bottle Lock for more beverage securityBrassknuck Cup Brings A Violent End To The Tea PartyAnti-Theft Car Tattoos: Un-Pimp My RideDIY Car Stereo Faceplate Fools Would-be ThievesWill you marry my tea? The Ring Mug TAGS: anti-theft, automobile, call, cell, control, invent, inventor, kenya, Mbetsa, phone, remote, system, teenage SHARE: Stumble Upon, Digg, del.icio.us, Reddit this, SlashdotSend to a FriendPermalink [...]

Comment from Teenager Hacks Hardware to Control Your Car Via Phone
30 July 2008 - 8:58 am - :

[...] time you’re in Mombasa. Follow the break for a video of the system in action. [Source: 69mb via AfriGadget]Continue reading Teenager Hacks Hardware to Control Your Car Via [...]

Comment from Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Mobile Phone-based Vehicle Anti-theft System
30 July 2008 - 1:13 pm - :

[...] year old self-taught electronics ‘genius’ invents mobile phone-based vehicle anti-theft system Morris Mbetsa, an 18 year old self-taught inventor with no formal electronics training from the [...]

Comment from OMAR
11 August 2008 - 2:25 am - :

WoW , what an amazing thing , I thought about similar idea but for motorcycles , but I think this invention satisfies all my ideas , God bless him.

THANX

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