A Bedfordshire IT development company is pioneering revolutionary ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology, in the face of protests from motorists.
skyanpr.co.uk CEO Peter Parker told us that, “the traditional number plate can be supplemented by placing the registration, additionally, on the roof of the vehicle.” Furthermore, the advances in QR technology could augment or replace this with the now familiar box-code system.
“The advantages,” says Mr Parker, “are that a top-facing registration or code can be far more accurately read by downward-facing ANPR cameras, positioned e.g. under a motorway bridge, or at the entrances of car parks.” adding, “It’s a bit like scanning groceries at a check-out.” The top-mounted cipher could also, of course, be easily tracked by helicopter, a drone or low-flying aircraft.
Parker pointed to the precedents set by some UK buses, and police vehicles, where roof markings show the use of the vehicle, its force code and a vehicle identifying mark or the police division to which the vehicle belongs.
However, many motorists we spoke to, including John Driver (28), of Dunstable, were adamant that the proposals were, “simply another example of the authorities looking down on us.”
Dismissing critics of the scheme, Mr Parker went on to say that, ”motorists rarely see the top of their vehicle anyway, so it does not spoil the aesthetics in any way.”
Denise Walker (97), from Leighton Buzzard, does not drive herself, but wondered, “What about convertible cars?” We put this to skyanpr.com, who replied, “there could be a case for such exceptions, where the number or code could simply be placed on the bonnet, instead.”
On the question of two-wheeled drivers, cyclist Phoebe Peddler (18), from Luton, said, “Thank heavens we don’t have number plates. But what about motorcyclists, are they going to put the number on the top of their crash helmets?”
What’s your view?
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