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DaimlerChrysler
Vehicles to Feature Minority-Detecting Locks
The DaimlerChrysler Corporation
has promised to include minority-detecting locks on their more expensive
car models, including the Mercedes S-class, the Chrysler 300M, and the
Dodge Viper, by 2002. The special mechanism is designed to recognize
minorities near the vehicle and lock the car doors before a situation can
arise.
"A lot of our Caucasian
customers have explained the fear they feel when a African-American or
Latino walks near their car while stopped at a light," said a DaimlerChrysler
spokesman. "We had this system put in to comfort and keep them safe."
The system, called
BlackOut, utilizes hidden melanin sensors around the car. Once a
sensor recognizes a being with high levels of melanin, it triggers the
door locks.
S-class owner Franklin
Crane is pleased with the new technology.
"I used to be terrified
of driving, especially through rough areas," he said. "One time I
was adjusting the temperature of the heated seats when I looked up and
noticed a colored man walking along the sidewalk only ten feet away.
I locked my doors just in time. He had his baseball cap on backwards,
so, as you can imagine, it was quite unnerving."
The system is not without
it faults. It is unable to detect Asian-Americans and Albino minorities
because of levels of melanin similar to Caucasians.
"There are some kinks
to work out," said the spokesman. "We’re seeing if we can create
some sort of pants-bagginess detector, so that Caucasians and others who
act in an African-American manner can be perceived by the sensors."
Other detection targets
being considered are hair gel, faded hairdos, shirts buttoned only at the
top button, and Fila sneakers.
DaimlerChrysler warns
that with the first version of BlackOut, although drivers will be able
to let their guard down a bit, they will still have to be aware of the
aforementioned loopholes.
"I’m just looking forward
to being able to concentrate more on the road, and not entirely on the
persons on the side of the road," said Crane. "I feel safer already."
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