Tiwi spies on your children, so you don't have to

Black box for the kids

Posted in Bootnotes, 1st July 2008 14:17 GMT

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A new device called the Tiwi offers to spy on your children's driving by reporting their speed, manoeuvring, acceleration and even if they're wearing seatbelts, so the little blighters will be too scared to move by the time they're 18.

Unlike competing offerings, which just tell you where your children are, the Tiwi focuses on grassing up youngsters set on playing Need for Speed - Live. The box, which will set you back $549, uses an accelerometer to judge if a corner was taken too fast, or if traffic lights are being used for racing starts. The black box can be programmed to issue verbal warnings or alert the parent.

Said parent is sitting at home when they receive a text message, email or phone call, to let them know that little Jimmy is being a danger to himself and those around him. Unfortunately the device lacks the ability to administer a clip round the ear, or even to cut power to the engine, but parents can call up and yell at their offspring instead.

The Tiwi has an integrated mobile phone, and parents will have to pay $35 a month for such peace of mind. The company is however offering various deals and discounts to get the first few boxes out of the shop.

The company describes the Tiwi as "part driving instructor, part mentor, part guardian angel", and children will no doubt feel safer by knowing a parent is watching everything they do. Once they get out of the car they will of course face parental wrath, but there's always the option of running away from home. ®

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