New sensor tracks who drives in and out of your neighborhood

2017-08-24 5

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA — This week in Silicon Valley, startup tech company Flock unveiled a sensor device able to provide neighborhoods and homeowners assistance in tracking criminals down.

Currently installed for testing in seven neighborhoods around Atlanta, Flock's new sensor device records vehicles that enter and pass through the area. Snapshots of all vehicle license plates are taken upon entering and exiting a neighborhood, with plate numbers recorded and stored.

According to Flock, the sensor has led to one theft conviction already. The sensor device captured images and the plate number of a man stealing a road bike from a property in a Flock-monitored neighborhood. The BBC reports that future versions of the technology will aim to include facial recognition features.

Flock and its new sensor are backed by startup incubator Y Combinator, known for previously funding Reddit, Dropbox, and AirBnB. Following the current trial period, the technology will soon be available to homes for $50 per year.