DataDot stops theft

Over the last two years DataDot claims its technology has brought about a 60 per cent theft rate reduction on BMW and 73 per cent on Holden Special Vehicles. Subaru is also reporting a considerable reduction in theft through the use of DataDot.

DataDot Technology Ltd is the company behind this revolutionary anti-theft system. Having gained global acceptance, many manufacturers are adopting the technology as a standard safety feature on their range of vehicles. It is one method of permanent identification that does not deface the goods.

Major manufacturers such as BMW, Holden HSV, Subaru, Yamaha, FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles), Porsche, Mitsubishi Ralliant and Mini now all fit DataDot technology to their range of new vehicles as a matter of course. Smash repairers who replace panels on these vehicles may be obliged, under the terms of insurance policies, to fix DataDots to new panels. They must, however, be a DataDot accredited repairer before they can be supplied with the technology.
The technology comprises thousands of microdots, hence the name DataDot. Each DataDot contains information known as the ?identifier?. This identifier is pertinent to an asset and its owner. It can be used to trace the legitimate owner of the asset through government registers and the DataDot national register.

DataDots are suspended in a clear drying UV adhesive. They are then applied to a vehicle using a unique patented spray process. This system enables thousands of DataDots to be sprayed onto high-risk component parts that are generally targeted for rebirthing. This form of permanent identification renders the item worthless to thieves because of the risk in on-selling and a high probability of conviction.

Presence of the technology can be easily detected by running a black light over the underside of the vehicle. Identification requires only the locating of one DataDot, which is then magnified in order to read the information contained on it.

The DataDot spray system allows thousands of Dots to be applied to all components of a vehicle within a few minutes. This saturation marking means that removal of the dots by thieves is virtually impossible. Police then find it easy to identity the owner.

The unique spray system uses a disposable spray nozzle and canister preloaded with dots and adhesive. This system offers simplicity of use with no possibility of cross contamination.

The spray process can also be developed for a variety of industry or manufacturing needs based on the number of dots to be applied, the point of application and the extent of marking required.

While the spray application is effective for larger assets, the brush process ensures application of DataDots to even the smallest assets such as mobile phones, tools, home assets, jewellery, antiques and other high value items.

DataDot technology is currently in a rapid growth stage in Australia, the USA, UK and South Africa with new markets opening in Russia and Asia. A key example of government and insurance industry support is the Australian National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) which represents all state governments and the insurance industry. DataDot claims to be the only company to successfully adhere to the strict criteria set down by the Council for an Australian Motor Vehicle Identification System.

The Police have also recognised the valuable role DataDot has played in reducing theft. A recent press conference involving the Victorian Police and NMVTRC attributed a decline in vehicle theft of late model vehicles to the introduction of initiatives such as DataDot.

The U.S. Department of Transport issued a ruling on April 6th 2004 that introduced new opportunities for DataDot whole-vehicle identification. In summary, this ruling provides that the parts marking requirements (Rule 541) is to be extended to all passenger cars vehicles and light trucks and that NHTSA has undertaken to study the effectiveness and cost of new forms of more permanent parts marking including DataDots.

The fact that each DataDot is encoded with the vehicles VIN (or a linked PIN via the ISO national database in the USA) number means that it is easy for police to check the identity of the owner without reference to a secondary database. Using the many inquiry services available, prospective purchasers of vehicles or parts can also easily see if the item they are offered is what it purports to be.

The system has revolutionised thinking on security marking. For the first time economic and effective saturation marking using DataDots has come within the reach of manufacturers.

High value alloy heels, stereo and video systems, body kits and other optional items can now be effectively marked using this approach.

The Nissan North America Xenon headlight initiative also centered around the use of a brush-on application as an effective component marking methodology to combat the theft of Xenon headlights. Under this initiative over 45,000 Maxima owners were contacted to return their vehicle for fitment with the DataDot technology.