TECHNOLOGY TRACKS STOLEN CARS
By Adnews Staff
Rankin Research Corp. of Montreal launched its stolen vehicle cellular tracking system to rest of the Ontario market last week. Called Boomerang, the device uses cellular technology to pinpoint the location of a stolen vehicle anywhere in North America where there is a cell phone network. In Canada, Boomerang uses the Bell Mobility network. The unit is the size of a television remote control. It is concealed inside the vehicle and is activated when a vehicle is stolen. A 24-hour central monitoring headquarters determines the general position of the vehicle through Bell Mobility, then dispatches the nearest unmarked tracking vehicle. The vehicle picks up the signal, locates the vehicle and calls the police. Boomerang is being promoted using radio and newspaper co-op ads with the dealers, Bell Mobility and Rankin. Tracking services in Ontario are handled by Investigative Services of Oakville, Ont. The device has been available in Montreal and Ottawa since last April. The company says stolen vehicles were successfully recovered there within 90 minutes. Rankin plans to launch the unit in Western Canada by the end of the year. In addition, the system is being tested in Peru and Argentina. Europe has also showed an interest in Boomerang.