New Technology Enables Street Lights to Spy on You
Like something out of a sinister Orwellian vision of the future, streetlights with the ability to monitor conversations and announce government warnings are being installed on American streets. As part of a US governmentfunded project, manufacturers Illuminating Concepts have begun installing the system, dubbed ‘Intellistreets’ in the town of Farmington Hills, Michigan.According to the company’s video presentation, the capabilities of the devices include homeland security, public safety, traffic control, advertising and video surveillance features. The company admits the system is also great for “data harvesting.” When a person steps into the light, “there is a camera that spots you,” and “it can even take your picture.” These lights can reportedly also “count people for police” and are “capable of recording conversations, making critics cry invasion of privacy.”
One of the companies involved in the production of these systems, Amerilux, stated in a press release that IntelliStreets “includes a mixture of homeland security features.” It vaguely references the ability to “detect threats and prevent crime” and mentions that the system can be integrated with the Amber Alert Center. Each “streetlight is designed with a unique duoband radio system and data storage capacity-featured small computer.”
The streetlights use LED technology and wireless communication systems and have LED screens that can display messages and advertisements. In addition to being able to dim as needed, the lights communicate with one another and can record and transmit images and sound.
Experts say that in the next few years, energy-efficient, long-lasting LED technology will start to take over the lighting industry. LEDs are semiconductors, and like all solidstate technology, they are getting better and cheaper on a predictable curve.“The transformation of street lights into surveillance tools for Homeland Security purposes will only serve to heighten concerns that the United States is fast on the way to becoming a high-tech police state,” Infowars reported recently.
One of the companies involved in the production of these systems, Amerilux, stated in a press release that IntelliStreets “includes a mixture of homeland security features.” It vaguely references the ability to “detect threats and prevent crime” and mentions that the system can be integrated with the Amber Alert Center. Each “streetlight is designed with a unique duoband radio system and data storage capacity-featured small computer.”
The streetlights use LED technology and wireless communication systems and have LED screens that can display messages and advertisements. In addition to being able to dim as needed, the lights communicate with one another and can record and transmit images and sound.
Experts say that in the next few years, energy-efficient, long-lasting LED technology will start to take over the lighting industry. LEDs are semiconductors, and like all solidstate technology, they are getting better and cheaper on a predictable curve.“The transformation of street lights into surveillance tools for Homeland Security purposes will only serve to heighten concerns that the United States is fast on the way to becoming a high-tech police state,” Infowars reported recently.
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