Subscribe now

Nocturnal graffiti artists beware. Traptec Corporation of California is out
to get you. A directional microphone, mounted up to 100 metres away, picks up
all the sounds near a wall. The device continually compares what it hears with
stored recordings, such as the rattle of a spray can or the squeal of a felt
marker pen. Meanwhile, an electronic nose near the wall checks for paint
vapours, and infrared detectors register body heat (WO 00/75899). When the
device detects the smells and noises of a graffiti artist it drops a cage on the
offender and calls the police.

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop