Want to Be Invisible From The Fuzz?

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

So let’s say you drive occasionally a bit over the legal limit, wouldn’t you like something like this?

“Unlike traditional camouflage systems which rely on paint or nets to hide vehicles, ADAPTIV can instantly blend a vehicle into its background.

With the ADAPTIV system installed, a unit has: The ability to blend into natural surroundings. The ability to mimic natural objects and other vehicles. A significantly reduced detection range.”

The system has been developed by Britain’s BAE. It’s target market is military vehicles. But if you drive a tank of a car, or own a car with the price tag of an F16, a little ADAPTIV should fit your budget. Remember:

“Whether it is day or night, whether they are on the move or stationary, ADAPTIV gives your vehicles increased stealth – and greater survivability.”

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Mazder3 Mazder3 on Sep 11, 2011

    I thought if you wanted to be invisible to the authorities you just bought a Camry.

    • Redav Redav on Nov 29, 2011

      I believe an old pickup in 'contractor white' would be even more effective.

  • Mazder3 Mazder3 on Sep 11, 2011

    The auto spam guard is humorless. I was going to do a beigemobile joke but it won't let me. :(

  • 05lgt 05lgt on Sep 12, 2011

    I'd be happy if "all" I could do was change the color of my car at the flick of a switch. Some kind of LCD wrap...

  • Brobdingnagian Brobdingnagian on Sep 12, 2011

    I can see it now: Car makers will equip new models with this system as standard. Then each year they will release and sell a new "app" to create a new appearance for the vehicle. This will be cheaper than punching out new sheet metal when they want to change the car's styling, and they will still be able to make the gullible buyers pay up for it. It will also appeal to the typical, young, consumer-tech buyer who thinks "apps" and "virtual" things are better than the actual, physical stuff they imitate.

    • Advance_92 Advance_92 on Sep 12, 2011

      I remember seeing something like this on the short-lived TV series 'Viper.' It could disguise the titular car as a Plymouth Breeze. The IR shield a neat technology, but not really applicable to cars where direct line of sight is much more important than hiding from a drone or satellite beyond normal visual range. Back when the stealth bomber was rolled out my first thought was it's very easy to spot with the naked eye and so slow a Mustang (or F86 if you want to be sure) could intercept it. Granted when there's no visibility it's got a big advantage, but when spotted there's no escape.

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