Local computer the secret behind Holden US cop car deal

There will likely be another beneficiary of Holden's Police Caprice export deal to North America. A locally developed onboard police computer system -- which integrates 27 separate devices into one touchscreen display in the centre of the dashboard -- will likely join the export program when Holden starts shipping cars in late 2010 ready for duty in 2011.

The system is called 'Next Generation' and was designed and engineered by Melbourne based National Safety Agency, a not-for-profit research body which develops technology for emergency services in Australia. The system was created with the help of 12 local suppliers and computer companies who stand to benefit from the deal if there is demand for the revolutionary system.

Police cars both in Australia and overseas are increasingly becoming cluttered with computer screens, keyboards, police radios and other ancillaries. These can potentially become a hazard to officers during a crash. Law enforcement officials around the world are therefore trying to find onboard technology that doesn't interfere with the car's safety systems, particularly the deployment of airbags.

The touch screen 'Next Generation' system developed by NSA is similar in operation to an Apple i-Phone, but about the size of an A4 piece of paper to make it easier to use when on the move (see photo).

The touchscreen display allows officers to operate basic controls such as the radio and air-conditioning, as well as onboard cameras, radar, the police radio and mobile number plate recognition systems, among other systems. There is even potential for the car's onboard screen to display nearby wirelessly-connected CCTV footage from public areas when looking for offenders.

A massive steel drawer in the boot houses up to 30kg of the computer equipment which 'powers' the system.

NSA has been developing the technology over the past four years and, in particular, has been working closely with the Los Angeles Police department (LAPD) over the past 18 months.

The LAPD is regarded as one of the technology leaders among US police forces and has one of the biggest fleets of cars -- close to 1500. Only the Chicago and New York departments run more.

The deputy chief of the LAPD, Charles Beck, told the Carsales Network: "this is the closest to the holy grail of police cars I've seen in my career".

"We're excited about this car because of the technology that's in it," he said at the International Association of Police Chiefs conference in Denver yesterday, where the NSA system and the Chevrolet (nee Holden) Caprice were unveiled.

"Integration of technology is key for us. We need smart engineering to continue to improve the safety of our officers and the public. I admire the ingenuity and enthusiasm NSA has brought to this project. There's definitely some clever talent Down Under."

The LAPD will test the unit in a prototype Pontiac G8 sedan over the next few months but the system will be able to be fitted to the Chevrolet Caprice by those police departments who want it. Other jurisdictions will continue with their current computer and keyboard set-ups.

NSA is in the process of establishing a technology partner in North America to support the integrated police computer system.

Holden boss Alan Batey said General Motors would offer police departments across North America a choice of options.

"NSA is developing some equipment that would likely give them a leadership position," he told the Carsales Network at the show.

"Having that integrated into our vehicle would clearly be a benefit but it's not going to be a standard fit. It's going to be something that individual police forces can specify.

"Having NSA in Melbourne gives us a great opportunity to work together and we've been working together and will continue to work together to develop that technology further," Batey opined.

The head of the NSA, Des Bahr (pictured with touchscreen in Pontiac), said the export deal was good for both Holden and Australian computer technology suppliers.

"What we've unveiled today is world's best practice," Bahr told the Carsales Network at the show.

"We'll continue to develop this with the LAPD and get it up and running in time for the full export of the Holden cars. We also hope that one day this technology could make its way into Australian police cars."

NSA claims its integrated system is cheaper to buy, install and uninstall than regular police car systems.

"It's safer, more cost effective and you can return the car to normal to sell to the public. There's no drilling holes through dashboards any more."

NSA helped introduce Holden to the North American police car market, and the relationship has blossomed from there. Now even the Australian Trade Commission is involved. It had a representative on the ground to make sure the right people were talking to the right people.

"General Motors has well established contacts with police agencies in North America but we've been a conduit between the LAPD and GM Holden to make sure Holden is aware of the type of leading edge technology that some police agencies across America are after," Bahr said.

"We know not every agency may be able to go this way initially because they may have already invested in equipment that they need to get a few years' life out of yet. But when they see our system that is cheaper and safer than what they're running, we hope they'll adopt our integrated system," Bahr said.

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