Cars are becoming very futuristic in appearance and function, but affixed to these modern machines are stamped metal plates that have been largely unchanged since well, number plates started. Here’s something fitting for our modern digital world. We’re surprised no one has thought of this till now.
Reviver Auto, creator of the world’s first digital license plate, has announced that 100,000 RPlate Pros will hit roads this year. The company has teamed up with top Ford dealer Galpin Ford, which will sell the RPlate to consumers in California.
The RPlate Pro is the latest iteration of the company’s digital license plate, unveiled at the ongoing 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The digital plate – which Reviver says creates new functionalities and efficiencies for consumers and businesses – is in use in California and in pilot in Arizona. Legislation is approved for pilots in Texas and Florida – with more states to be announced this year.
The RPlate Pro transforms the stamped metal license plate into an integrated digital display that functions as a legal license plate, while adding new digital communications facilitated through RConnect, a browser-based management system that was also unveiled at NAIAS.
Among the functionalities RConnect makes possible are automated DMV vehicle registration renewals (like our road tax), replacing legacy stickers and paperwork with digital decals. The “number screen” can also display charity plates in support of a cause and the display of (authority approved) personal messages such as “Don’t Drink and Drive” or “My Child is an Honor Student.”
Cost-cutting benefits for businesses include streamlined vehicle registration renewals and easily tracked registration compliance across vehicle fleets, as well as the ability to create customised marketing messages that appear on the plate when parked. Yup, ads. See the video above for a good illustration of what the RPlate can do.
Cool idea, isn’t it? But before Malaysia can step into the digital age, we’ll have to first come up with standardised number plates, as used by all our neighbours and practically every other country out there.
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a must have for criminals. easy to program and change numbers with a touch of a button
All information is securely stored in our network, ‘not’ the plate, which has security equal to what a bank would have. I’m not sure if anyone would want to go through the trouble of hacking into our network to pull a drivers license plate number? The plate simply holds the message that has been sent to it. So we are safe! :)
Not a “must have” item, just another novelty.
It will be costly to replace and what about the battery life?
An embedded chip will be more practical.
A bi-stable display is fully reflective and does not need any power to display the image. Power is only required when the image is updated. It can display images, logos, letters or any other customized message. Images and messages must be approved by the DMV. If the display is hit or broken it will continue to display the image/text.
It has the RFID chip in it for future use when it becomes standardized.
Gimmick. Not cost effective. Be better if we have compulsory reflective plates (for safety).
Hi, these plates are reflective and use a light to show clearly in the dark. They require no power to display the image (like a Kindle).
When you ask these entrepreneurs what are the consumer’s pain points? They have no answer. They simply have an idea and a product.
This is a classic case of finding solution to a self created problem.
Hi, I did you ask them this question and they did not respond? If so, I apologize. There are multiple benefits to the end user.
If you find LoJack, GPS, theft control, or any other such device useful, this offers the same, and much, much more.
A bi-stable display is fully reflective and does not need any power to display the image. Power is only required when the image is updated and for the light. If the display is hit or broken it will continue to display the image/text.
rPlate-Pro is powered using the vehicle battery and a back-up battery is used for anti-theft functionality (if stolen it can be tracked).
• The rPlate-Pro uses a built-in GPS module to track the vehicle location. Additionally, start time, end time and route details of each trip are recorded
• Accelerometer is used to detect vehicle motion
• Storage for campaign images, causes, sports teams, business logos, messages and Telematics data
• Choose a black or white background anytime you want a change.
• Built to withstand and function in severe conditions (-40° – 188°)
• IP66 water and dust resistances
• Monthly payment options for registration, alerts when registration is due (great source for fleet).
• RDIF chip technology, the ability to pay toll roads, parking meters, display parking permits in the future.
If the rPlate-Pro is detached from the vehicle, “PLATE DETACHED” is displayed and notification is sent to the vehicle owner via SMS.
If the owner reports the plate is stolen, the rPlate-Pro will display “STOLEN”.
Once the rPlate-Pro is marked stolen on the ReviverAuto Platform, the rPlate-Pro cannot be re-provisioned to another vehicle.
A back-up battery is used for anti-theft functionality for tracking.
China version will include photosensor to blank out the screen when detect speed camera flash. SG pipu will lineup to buy this.