iCATS: It146;s a steal

This intelligent anti-theft device comes as close to saving your Maruti from being stolen as is technologically possible

As vehicle is stolen in India every six minutes, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. To make matters worse, of every four stolen cars, only one is recovered. Not exactly a comforting thought when your brand new Maruti Swift or SX4 is parked outside. Now, you may have reason not to panic because Maruti Udyog has fitted all its cars, except the Esteem and Gypsy, with the immobiliser system, which protects your vehicle from being stolen.

The security device, called the intelligent Computerised Anti-Theft System iCATS, works on the principle of multiplexed communication. It has a transponder8212;an inbuilt electronic chip inside the car key8212;carrying a unique identification code. The transponders are available in millions of combinations, which make the possibility of two cars having the same code impossible. The Electronic Control Unit ECU or the computer in the engine also carries a corresponding secret code.

The moment the key is inserted and the ignition switched on, the secret code is communicated from the key to the ECU. The engine starts only if the code is correct. If there is a mismatch in the password, the immobiliser system shuts off the engine, thereby preventing the car from being stolen.

The system has one more advantage. 8220;Under no circumstance will the engine start with a locally fabricated key,8221; stresses I.V. Rao, R038;D chief, Maruti Udyog.

On the flip side, if the key gets lost, the owner has to go to a dealer8217;s workshop to electronically delink the key.
The company-fitted security device has also increased the cost of the cars as the price of iCATS ranges from Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,300 ex-showroom price, Delhi. And, of course, it can8217;t be retrofitted in old cars.

8220;We have noticed that among the increasing cases of stolen cars, the number of Maruti compact cars is high due to their resale value. So the company has made iCATS mandatory for all Maruti cars, even though it is not a must under the regulations,8221; explains Rao.

Other car companies also provide the immobiliser system, including the Ford Ikon, all models of Toyota except the entry model, and Honda8217;s Civic and CR-V. There are other anti-theft devices also like keyless entry available in Honda Accord or the remote centre locking system in the Chevrolet Optra.

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However, there is no better guard against theft than being careful. The iCATS just make it a little easier on the mind.